08 Jan 2025

The ongoing rains have brought relief to regions facing water shortage, with dams across various areas filling up and in turn, improving supply for urban and rural communities.

For Gaborone, Bokaa and Nnywane dams, the rains arrived at a crucial time, replenishing water levels in reservoirs that had been running low due to the dry conditions in the previous months.

This was explained in an interview by technician, Mr Kabo Baker who further stated that many dams were nearing full capacity as a result of the down pour that also saw an unprecedented increase in water levels, with Shashe Dam overflowing at 101.14 per cent, Ntimbale Dam at 100.9 per cent which also was overflowing since the weekend.

Mr Baker said Lotsane Dam which was once experiencing severe drought conditions, had drastically rose from 20 to 76 per cent, following flooding in the Palapye area, while Letsibogo dam was currently at 68.4 per cent.

 “This development is particularly beneficial for agriculture, as the abundant water now available for irrigation ensures a healthy crop season,” said Mr Baker and regarded the occurrence as a lifeline for farmers, ensuring that crops received adequate water and that they could continue producing without the threat of drought.

“The abundance of water also translates to lower irrigation costs, which helps them maintain their livelihoods,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Baker mentioned that the three dams, Gaborone, Bokaa and Nnywane dams were currently receiving water rains.

He said Gaborone Dam level was currently at 35.4 per cent capacity, enough to provide water for the next 14 months without additional inflow.

“However, since the rains are ongoing, we hope the water level will continue to rise, extending the lifespan of the water supply,” he said.

He explained that other dams such as Notwane Dam and the Railways Dam, which historically was used for locomotives, assisted in filtering water before flowing into Gaborone.

Gaborone Dam catchment area is large hence takes a long time for the dam to fill completely, Mr Baker stated and added that rainfall in the Gaborone area had not been as heavy as in other parts of the country.

Regarding Bokaa Dam, Mr Baker reported that its level was currently at 44.5 per cent and expected to last for about seven months but optimistic that with the continuing rainfall, the level would rise significantly.

Nnywane Dam, which is the smallest dam in the country, currently stands at 87.6 per cent, and despite its size, it can supply water for up to 12 months without additional inflow, Mr Baker said.

“The abundance of rainfall will alleviate the need for water rationing in the long term, which has been a challenge in other parts of the country. As dams fill up, the overall water supply becomes more stable,” said Mr Baker, reminding Batswana to practice water conservation and safety.

Mr Baker cautioned the public to ensure safety of the children who could be vulnerable during fast-moving current in the streets, streams or even small ponds as they might be attracted to water unaware of the dangers associated with such.

Furthermore, he advised the elderly to be cautious when crossing flooded areas and avoid doing so if the water was flowing rapidly. ENDS