17 Mar 2026

The flood situation in Khwai is worsening with about 37 households affected, of which 17 have been relocated to safer places.

Khwai was hit by severe flood early March, displacing families, disrupting access to education, shelter and healthcare services.

In an interview, North West assistant district commissioner, Ms Omphile Mogorosi said more families were rescued from low-lying areas to safer places.

She said the residents were hopeful that the floodwater would subside so that they could return to their normal lives, but the situation continued to worsen increasing the risk of disease outbreaks, among others.

Ms Mogorosi highlighted that the overflowing water had surrounded the village causing significant distress requiring urgent and collective rescue efforts.

She however appreciated the disaster management team for assisting affected families with the necessary relief while ensuring readiness for potential exacerbation of the crisis.

While, some families had been given tents, she said some found refuge at the Trust office.

She further said efforts to resume lessons for 12 Standard 7 pupils was still ongoing, as they wanted to ensure that the learners were not affected as the primary school was still temporarily closed.

In addition, he said the flood situation had also affected some tourism camps operating in the area, adding that Khwai area was a hotspot for safari camps offering everything from luxury tented to guesthouses.

Some camps, she said were surviving the waterflows because they used suspended wooden decks to ensure their structures remained dry while surrounded by water.

Water resource engineer from department of Water and Sanitation, Mr Kesie Marovu pointed out that they were anticipating more possible flooding this year as the water continue to rise in the delta.

All most all the channels across the delta, he said were overflowing due to the torrential rains experienced, noting that as from December to date, Mohembo River water level was high.

He also pointed out that the outflow channels of Thamalakane and Boteti rivers were flowing citing that the flood head along the Thamalakane river reached Borolong plant and since then water levels had been gradually increasing to date.

He pointed out that the flood head along the Boteti channel had reached Makalamabedi bridge in October while the Matsebe and Xudumo floods head stopped at 12km and 17km from buffalo fence.

“As we anticipate a good hydrological year, our finding underscores the importance of continued vigilance and proactive measures to manage water resources effectively and mitigate potential impacts on communities and ecosystem.

As department, we remain committed to our mission of safeguarding water resources and fostering sustainable water management practices for the benefit of all stakeholders,” added Mr Marovu. ENDS