07 Dec 2016

The Department of Meteorological Services has warned the  public of thunderstorms over Kweneng  between now and early next year.

Following heavy down pours that caused flash floods in Molepolole and some areas around Kweneng last month, warnings had been issued for people to protect all life and property as fairly widespread thundershowers over Kweneng District are expected.

Speaking in an interview, weather forecaster, Ms Tlotlo Morupisi, said their forecast shadowed the seasonal forecast issued on August 31 of the expected rainfall on the month of November, December going into January 2017.

Ms Morupisi said normal rains were expected in Kweneng District for this period noting that with the available tropical moisture flowing into the country southwards and necessary energy generated by heat, these conditions were necessary to trigger convective developments.  

Therefore, Ms Morupisi cautioned of a possibility of frequent thunderstorms over the district.

Furthermore, Ms Morupisi also issued out a warning to people living in the areas around Shadishadi, Sojwe and Lephephe after these areas experienced floods early this year around February saying they should expert more rains.

With the pans in these areas already overflowing, Ms Morupisi warned that places downstream of these pans stood a high chance of experiencing further flash floods should the heavy rains continue between now and end of March 2017.

She advised the public to do the following to safeguard their lives and property.
•    At start of storm, unplug as many as possible some electronic devices such as Wi-Fi routers, cellphone chargers and computers in order to avoid damage by lightning.
•    Avoid driving through heavy rainfall.
•    Do not let children swim in dams.
•    Keep a safe distance from the car in front by a minimum of three car length and decrease driving speed.
•    Stay indoors.
•    Continuously check the weather issued by the Botswana Department of Meteorological Services for your areas for any imminent severe weather warnings or alerts. ENDS