Heavy Rains Cause Flash Floods in Botswana, Killing at Least Seven, Displacing Thousands: President

Days of heavy rains have caused flash floods in Botswana, killing at least seven people, with three children among them, and displacing thousands of residents in recent days, President Duma Gideon Boko said in an address to the nation on Saturday.

The president announced emergency measures as over 1,700 people were evacuated, with severe impacts in Botswana's capital Gaborone, where the dam overflowed, washing away cars and flooding properties.

"I assure you that in the short term, we will continue working to minimize further losses," the president said in an address to the nation, adding that his administration will review infrastructure planning to determine whether the country's infrastructure is sufficient to handle both floods and droughts.

While water levels in dams across Botswana are receding, flooding remains a concern, and the situation at the Gaborone Dam is critical, the Botswana government said in a statement on Sunday.

"The Gaborone Dam continues to spill into the Notwane River, with its current water level at 102.72%. This represents a slight reduction of approximately 2% from the peak level of 105.19% recorded on Friday, 21 February 2025. While this decline has provided some relief to areas downstream of the dam, which have experienced flooding since Thursday, 20 February 2025, the situation remains critical," the government also noted.

The Botswana Department of Meteorology has been warning the population of the risk of heavy rains with possible flash floods in different parts of the country every day since February 10.

"Heavy falls of 50mm or more in 24 hours period with potential of flash flooding are expected over the northern parts of the country. Therefore, the public is advised to take necessary precautions," said in its latest weather forecast for Sunday.

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Prolonged downpours, fueled by tropical moisture and atmospheric instability, are expected to persist throughout this week and possibly until next Friday, worsening conditions in already affected areas, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism said in a statement on Wednesday.

"These prolonged downpours, intensified by continued influx of moisture from the tropics and triggered by medium level instability across the country, will continue to cause significant water accumulation in low-lying areas across many parts of the country, leading to impactful flash flooding. Rainfall amounts of 50mm or more in 24 hours are expected to continue to be recorded for many areas across the country. [...] Potential impacts of the rains include drowning, damage to infrastructure and property, power outages, and poor driving conditions," the ministry pointed out.