09 Jan 2025

 Police in Palapye have warned the public to be vigilant as heavy rainfalls continue across the country.

Officer Commanding District No 2, Senior Superintendent Paul Oketsang was speaking in an interview after the evacuation of some 65 people from floodwaters at their lands 12 kilometres west of Palapye on Wednesday.

Senior Superintendent Oketsang said the 65 people, who were from Segakwana, Mmantshadidi, Mahaswe and Mothabaosabonwe lands near Palapye found the streams which they had to cross to return to Palapye and Serowe flowing after heavy rains.

Heavy downpours resulted in the flowing and spilling of Ramajaalela dam and Kamtaka dams into the area, which caused flooding in the nearby lands.

The rescued people included 25 children under the age of 15 and 40 adults. They are said to have gone to the lands on December 24 last year to celebrate Christmas and New Year and for farming purposes.

They therefore waited for some few days for the water to subside so that they could cross, and asked for help  when the water did not subside. Senior Superintendent Oketsang, said some people tried to cross the river with their vehicles but failed and called for assistance.

He cautioned that doing so was very risky. He urged the public to be patient during the heavy rains.

The rescue operation was conducted by the office of the National Disaster Management Office together with the Palapye District Council, the Botswana Defence Force and the Botswana Police Service.

Palapye Deputy District Commissioner, Mr Tsholofelo Molobe, said the situation was still calm after some residents living along the flowing Lotsane River were evacuated. He said they were monitoring the situation as the rains continued to fall. He said they were prepared to deal with any situation that might arise.

He thanked all those that responded promptly to assist in the evacuation of the 65 people who were stranded at the lands. ENDS