Severe Flash Flooding in Botswana: Response and Recovery Efforts

From February 19 to 21, 2025, extensive rainfall caused severe flash floods in Botswana, impacting multiple districts. The floods resulted in significant damage to homes and infrastructure, displaced thousands, and disrupted educational services. The Government is collaborating with the Botswana Red Cross Society to provide relief to affected communities, targeting support for 9,000 individuals.

From February 19 to 21, 2025, intense rainfall resulted in extensive flash floods across various districts in Botswana, including Boteti, Gaborone, and Kgalagadi. Rainfall levels peaked at 235mm in Kokotsha and 160mm in Mogoditshane, with significant amounts recorded over 24-hour periods. This severe weather inundated homes and roads, disrupted transportation, and contaminated water supplies, creating a public health concern.

An assessment conducted between February 21 and 24 revealed that numerous individuals, including children, pregnant women, the elderly, and migrants, were adversely affected, particularly in low-lying areas across 14 districts. Schools were temporarily closed from February 20 to 24 due to transport issues, with Kgatleng District schools reopening only on March 4, 2025, further illustrating the flooding’s detrimental impact. Approximately 2,318 people were evacuated by February 26, 2025, with many others displaced.

As of March 2, 2025, 402 individuals remained in evacuation centers while others had returned home. The persistent closure of major roads further complicated access to affected areas. A warning from the Botswana government on February 19 indicated ongoing above-average rainfall, with forecasts suggesting that the situation would continue to deteriorate. These flooding events have been exacerbated by La Niña conditions and regional weather anomalies.

In response, the Government of Botswana has sought assistance from the Botswana Red Cross Society (BRCS) to support affected communities. Prolonged storms and floods from late 2024 have strained the nation’s capacity to respond, necessitating additional resources for this latest disaster. A national disaster task force has been established, including a role for the BRCS, and the DREF allocation aims to assist 9,000 individuals (3,167 households) in regions like Ghanzi and Kgatleng.

The recent flash floods in Botswana, resulting from heavy rains from February 19 to 21, 2025, have had a catastrophic impact on numerous communities, leading to widespread displacement and significant infrastructural damage. The Government of Botswana, in partnership with the Botswana Red Cross Society, is actively mobilizing resources to address the immediate needs of the impacted populations. Continued monitoring of weather conditions is essential to mitigate further risks and prepare for ongoing assistance.

Original Source: reliefweb.int