At least seven people, including three children, have died in flash floods across Botswana, with thousands forced from their homes after more than a week of relentless rainfall, President Duma Boko said on Saturday.
Authorities have closed schools and restricted travel as floodwaters continue to rise, disrupting daily life across the country. More than 1,700 people have been evacuated from inundated areas, Boko confirmed in a televised address.
In the capital, Gaborone, the city’s dam overflowed, sweeping away vehicles and submerging homes. Emergency crews remain on high alert as forecasts indicate further downpours in the coming days.
Disaster management officials said poor urban drainage systems may have exacerbated the situation, particularly in low-lying neighborhoods hit hardest by the floods.
“We must reassess our national infrastructure to ensure it can withstand both droughts and floods,” Boko said.
