Maseru, Mar. 30 — Recent heavy rainfalls across Lesotho have left a trail of destruction on the country’s road network, exposing the growing vulnerability of ageing infrastructure to the harsh realities of climate change.
The Director of Road Network Maintenance, Mr. Boitumelo Dillane from Roads Directorate (RD), has confirmed that several roads and bridges have been severely impacted, with some requiring complete reconstruction. Speaking in an interview today, Mr. Dillane painted a concerning picture, particularly in mountainous regions where the damage has been most severe.
He revealed that in Quthing, the bridge connecting Mjanyane to Dili-Dili has been completely washed away, forcing to consider building a new structure. Other key bridges in Matebeng, Ha Shoaepane, and Bela-Bela have also sustained damage and will require repairs that could take anywhere between two weeks and two months.
The impact extends beyond bridges, critical road routes including Roma to Ha Mosi, Malealea, and Mpiti to Sehlabathebe have suffered significant erosion, leaving them deteriorated and in urgent need of rehabilitation.
In some areas, rockfalls have compounded the damage, particularly around Mount Moorosi, Ha Makoae, and Mphaki, where weakened roadsides have triggered dangerous conditions for road users.
Mr. Dillane emphasised that one of the greatest challenges facing the Roads Directorate is the increasing impact of climate change on ageing infrastructure. He noted that many of Lesotho’s roads and bridges were constructed decades ago, using designs that are no longer resilient to the intensity and frequency of modern-day rainfall.
“These structures were not built to withstand the kind of extreme weather patterns we are now experiencing,” he explained, adding that heavy rains are accelerating erosion, washing away foundations, and causing structural failures.
The consequences are far-reaching. Communities are being cut off, travel is becoming more dangerous, and economic activities are disrupted as transport routes become unreliable or completely inaccessible.
Despite these challenges, Mr. Dillane assured the public that the Roads Directorate is working tirelessly to repair and rebuild damaged infrastructure. Efforts are underway to restore connectivity and ensure safer travel for communities across the country.
As climate change continues to intensify, the situation highlights the urgent need for more resilient infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather, particularly in vulnerable mountainous regions.
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