09 Dec 2021

Strong hailstorms recently swept across Logaganeng ward in Maubelo, north of Tsabong, leaving damages in many homesteads..

The day before the ordeal, like other villagers, Mr Friedrich Brooks was elated to finally sense the unique, earthy smell associated with rain, after enduring a long dry spell. Little did he know that the anticipated soft drizzle would manifest as rainstorms with violent cloudbursts, that would leave destruction in the wake.

When the clock struck 8.33pm a barrage of thick hail covered the earth and then stopped briefly as rain drizzled. At around 9.30pm, wild weather thunderstorm characterized by strong gusty winds violently shook the rather quite village, knocking down multiple giant Mokala (Acacia erioloba) and Mokha (Acacia becki) trees, tearing some of their branches, which flew about.

Tragedy befell Mr Brooks’ household as more intense storms and winds barreled down through the village. 

He woke up drenched as the storm had ripped his corrugated iron sheets off the roof, leaving everything; blankets, bed and furniture soaked up in water.

he said his family, children and partner ran helter-skelter in the dark, seeking refuge at the other room, but the relentless storm ripped the roof deck away, leaving them exposed in the cold.

With electricity  off and mobile networks affected, they moved in the dark yet again, this time trekking to his sister’s house, who unfortunately had been dealt the same cruel blow. They kept going until they finally found refuge at his cousin’s place, which fortunately was intact, at around 1am.

 “We have not seen anything like it in years, the last time it occurred it was many, many years ago and the storm affected an area far away from the residential area,” said Mr Brooks, his eyes welling up with tears. He also recounted that, that long ago, they had found lots of broken trees, which was a sign that a storm had passed through.

The thunderstorm also destroyed the only tuck-shop in Logaganeng belonging to Ms Mmakgosi Gabolekane. “The loss is a draw back as it is my main source of income, where residents buy small items, which they cannot travel to Tsabong to get. The tuck-shop could make up to P685 on a good day,” she said, while picking up the pieces.

Asked to comment, Department of Meteorological Services, principal meteorologist, Ms Linky Moreri said the weather forecast from December 3-5 2021, had reflected thunder showers. 

She said that while she could not ascertain the speed of the rainstorm, as it was not recorded, she encouraged people to erect structures that could withstand such tough weather.

Tsabong sub district, assistant district commissioner, Mr Thusang Nyoni said disaster assessments were done on Wednesday.

Fortunately, he said, most of the affected households had more than two houses in their yards, and therefore had shelter, while some had already replaced their roofs, terefore no household needed  temporary shelter.

Mr Nyoni noted that the office was mandated to provide a tent and food for three months, where there was evidence that shelter and food were damaged by the floods. 

The social worker was yet to determine how to assist the three hardest hit households. ENDS