Heavy downpours wreak havoc

As houses, bridges come tumbling down

Ntsoaki Motaung

The Disaster Management Authority (DMA) has warned Basotho to avoid crossing rivers or going near dams or deep valleys during this rainy seasons.

The Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DMA Caroline Mahosi indicated that the DMA has received a number of disastrous reports coming across the country.

“We have received reports that seven foot brides along the Senqu Valley as well as along the Khubelu river in the Mokhotlong collapsed leaving residents stranded,” she said.

Mahosi stated that the Authority also received reports of collapsed houses in the Berea and Quthing districts.

“There are also reports that in Mohale’s Hoek, there foot bridges that are also damaged while in Quthing and Thaba-Tseka large rocks dropped from the hills and fell into the road making them almost impassable especially by large vehicles,” she said.

The senior officer also further advised people to look-out for and learn about the conditions of the places they are going to before they can visit such places.

“The authority therefore pleads with the nation to stay away from places that can pose a danger to their lives like rivers, dams and falling rocks. We also urge parents to be extra vigilant and always know the whereabouts of their children,” she said.

This follows a statement issued by the Lesotho Meteorological Services (LMS) warning of nationwide heavy rains that were expected from Wednesday through the weekend with increased chances of localized flooding in some places due to heavy falls.

“There are increased chances of localized flooding in some areas due to heavy falls as greater than 50mm of rainfall accumulation within 24hours will be recorded. The rainfall intensity and spatial distribution are anticipated to reduce from Friday 29^th to Sunday 31^st January 2021,” said the LMS in a statement.

LSM therefore encourage the nation to take necessary precautions during the period and to “please stay tuned to local media for frequent updates from Lesotho Meteorological Services.”

And just as promised, it has indeed been raining heavily the effects of which have been quite dire especially in places in the distant rural districts with many rivers, valleys and mountains.

The DMA could not immediately disclose the number of people who could have been directly impacted by the floods, at the time of going to press last night as reports were only still trickling in. ffff