13 Mar 2017

A total of 697 households in different villages has been affected by Cyclone Dineo.

Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Thato Kwerepe told Parliament on Thursday that the torrential rains, which were associated with the Tropical Cyclone Dineo that started on January 17 caused flooding that affected many parts of the country.

He mentioned that the affected places include Tutume, Lobatse, Ramotswa, Kanye, Moshupa, Good Hope, Mahalapye, Mochudi, Letlhakeng, Molepolole, Lentsweletau and Selebi Phikwe.

Some places in the North East District and Boteti Sub-district have also been affected.

He said out of the 697 families, 245 were given tents, 91 were given food baskets while 44 were provided with blankets.

Assistant minister Kwerepe further mentioned that over P155 663 was disbursed to various districts to cater for food items for the affected families.

He also said the road infrastructure was not spared, saying most roads, bridges and culverts were affected in various districts.

He said the Ramotswa/Boatle road was closed for two days due to overflowing Ngotwane River, while Lobatse/ Gaborone road is still closed to date, due to a collapsed Nywane River Bridge and overflowing of Potsane River.

He further stated that the A1 road was closed for a few hours due to overflowing of Metsimotlhaba River near Bokaa.

Mr Kwerepe also said culverts and internal roads at Nkange have been affected, saying flood water crossed the A3 road near Nata causing delays in traffic movement.

He mentioned that the Nata Gweta road was also affected by flood since last week and that the railway line was affected at Ramotswa Station as well as near Lobatse, which affected movement of trains including the passenger one.

Mr Kwerepe nevertheless mentioned that plans are underway by the Ministry of Transport and Communications to repair the roads.

He mentioned that the police are also engaged to assist the public in such roads to ease congestions.

He further stated that a temporary bridge is being installed across Nywane River to aid traffic flow for small vehicles while the access road is being graded.

Mr Kwerepe pointed out that the extent of the damage has not yet been determined as the assessment of roads and bridges is still being carried out.

Mr Kwerepe said livestock was also not spared as six goats were killed by overflowing river and 11 goats killed by lightening in Moshupa.

Mr Kwerepe explained that the disaster management strategy was developed in consultation with the various sectors that are responsible for the different hazards that may affect the nation.

He further clarified that the strategy has defined the roles and responsibilities of different sectors to ensure that measures are in place to prevent disasters, to ensure preparedness and response to the possible disasters.

He therefore expressed confidence that with the strategies in place, government is able to handle any disaster that may arise.

Member of Parliament for Boteti East, Mr Setlhomo Lelatisitswe had asked the minister to state the extent to which the heavy rains from the last month Cyclone Dineo have affected Batswana in different villages.

Mr Lelatisitswe had also wanted to know how the affected people were assisted in each village and how much was spent.

He also wanted to know which roads were affected and what government is currently doing to ease traffic.

The MP further wanted to find out if government is convinced that the disaster management strategy could handle any disaster that could arise.

He also wanted to know how many families were affected in the villages of Mopipi, Moxoboxane and Thabatshukudu cattle posts and how the affected families are being assisted in Boteti region. ENDS