MASERU — Families across Borokhoaneng, Ha-‘Nelese, Ha-Mabote, Motimposo, Ha-Leqele, Ha-Ts’iu and Thaba-Khupa are in crisis after devastating floods swept through their communities.
Moving across the affected areas, widespread destruction caused by water can be seen.
Houses, crops, livestock and infrastructure have been severely damaged.
The above villages and more others have been experiencing sporadic flooding and landslides since the heavy rains from last week and the ground saturated with water has exarcebated flooding incidents in the different villages with Borokhoaneng being hardest hit.
Families, like that of Mr. Tefo Mokorosi described desperate attempts to escape rising water that quickly rose to his thighs, while furniture floated in water.
He said he has since Monday this week been sleeping in an old vehicle together with his son to avoid drowning and the cold.
Still in Borokhoaneng, Ms. Refiloe Khomohaka devastatingly narrated that she lost 200 poultry chickens which were due for market this coming Saturday.
She said she had taken money from women’s organization to purchase the chicks and after selling she was supposed to repay the money and take profits but now all that is gone in just a day.
Another Kefuoe Phafa from Upper Thamae living in a shack with six other family members said they had to sleep at a neighbour’s home on Tuesday night as everything was soaking in water.
On the other hand, Kefuoehape Nketle of Ha-Ts’iu said his one roomed mud house collapsed on Tuesday night and they had to sleep in a very small shack he used to rear chickens.
Moreover communities have called for improved flood defenses and urgent aid to reconstruct homes and infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Rapid Response Teams made of District Disaster Management Team (DDMT) have been deployed to assess the situation and provide immediate relief to affected communities.
The recent flooding serves as a stark reminder of Lesotho’s extreme vulnerability to climate change, with floods and storms accounting for over 90% of the average annual hazard occurrence in the region.
Other affected areas include Majoe-a-Lits’oene, Koalabata, Ha-Ts’osane, Ha-Makhalanyane, Qoaling, Lifelekoaneng and Moshoeshoe II.
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