The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC) has issued a heavy rainfall preparedness and response advisory, warning of continued heavy rainfall across several member states, including Botswana. The advisory, issued on 24 February 2025, highlights the risk of severe flooding in southern and central Botswana, urging authorities and residents to take immediate precautionary measures.
The heavy rainfall, expected to persist from 25 February to 3 March 2025, is part of a broader weather pattern affecting much of the SADC region. According to the SADC Climate Services Centre (CSC), the persistent rains are likely to exacerbate existing flood conditions in Botswana, which has already experienced significant flooding in recent weeks. The situation has raised concerns about public health, infrastructure damage, and the potential displacement of communities.
Botswana, particularly its southern and central regions, is identified as one of the high-risk areas in the advisory. The country has been grappling with severe flooding, which has already disrupted livelihoods, damaged infrastructure, and heightened the risk of waterborne diseases. The SHOC advisory emphasizes the need for heightened vigilance and preparedness to mitigate the impacts of the ongoing heavy rainfall.
Authorities are urged to closely monitor weather updates from the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) and public health updates from relevant agencies. This will help in making informed decisions and issuing timely warnings to at-risk communities. The government is encouraged to disseminate accurate and timely information to the public through official channels. This will ensure that communities are well-informed and prepared to respond to the impending heavy rainfall.
Strengthening infrastructure resilience, particularly in vulnerable urban areas, is critical. This includes reinforcing shelters and critical facilities to withstand the impact of flooding. Botswana is advised to review and reinforce its emergency communication protocols to ensure efficient information flow during critical times. This will facilitate swift response and coordination among various stakeholders. Authorities are urged to activate health and environmental surveillance systems to monitor and respond to potential public health threats, such as waterborne diseases, which often follow heavy flooding.
In addition to preparedness measures, the SHOC advisory recommends anticipatory actions to minimize the impact of the heavy rainfall. National Disaster Management Authorities, along with local municipalities, are encouraged to activate evacuation plans to ensure the safe and efficient relocation of residents from high-risk areas. Botswana is urged to stock essential emergency relief supplies, including food, water, and medical resources, to support affected communities in the event of severe flooding.
The SHOC advisory also highlights the importance of regional cooperation in managing the crisis. Member states, including Botswana, are encouraged to share feedback and improve the coordination of early warning systems to ensure timely and accurate information dissemination across borders. The SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre has placed its Emergency Response Team (ERT) and Search and Rescue Teams (SRT) on standby to provide support if needed.
The SHOC will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary. Residents in Botswana and other affected regions are advised to stay informed through official channels and follow the guidance of local authorities.
