Botha-Bothe, August 10 — Life Saver’s Mr Clifford Tar has told the Agency that people are still getting stuck in the snow despite early warning messages disseminated through various media platforms about the snowfall expected today and tomorrow.
Mr Tar said he had received messages from people who were stuck in Thaba-Tseka, Thaba-Putsoa and Mohale, as well as reports of an accident that occurred in Polihali, although no injuries were reported.
“I got messages from different people who are stuck in Thaba-Tseka, Thaba-Putsoa and Mohale, and about an accident that happened in Polihali, even though there are no injuries at all.
“In Thaba-Tseka, Thaba-Putsoa and Mohale, these people are still stuck there and there is no alternative way to rescue them because, at the rate at which the snow is piling up every hour, it will be risky for anyone to go there. Even airplane choppers cannot help in this manner because of the weather,” he said.
Mr Tar described the situation as heartbreaking, saying people trapped in the snow rely on their vehicle heaters to keep warm.
“This is very heartbreaking because being in the snow means the only way to heat themselves is through the car heater. What happens if they are not rescued today and the fuel runs out? This is very life-threatening. I wish people took early warning messages very seriously and stopped putting themselves and other people in danger,” he said.
Botha-Bothe District Disaster Manager Ms. Mojabeng Mohloki said the incidents of people getting stuck in the snow clearly showed that some people do not take early warning messages seriously.
“DMA has enhanced how it shares early warning messages and even makes attractive posters for people to be warned before travelling on dates when it is snowing. But clearly, there are people who consider their own engagements and do not take note of the dangers they are putting themselves in,” she said.
Ms. Mohloki said the district ensures that information is disseminated well before snowfall begins.
“In the Botha-Bothe district, we make sure information is disseminated very well before it starts snowing. We have a good relationship with taxi drivers’ associations, chiefs, councillors, heads of departments and, on top of it, the District Disaster Team, which is made up of all ministries and organisations at district level. All these stakeholders receive messages and share them in their different communities,” she said.
Ms Mohloki said they are disappointed to hear that there were still people ignoring the warnings and finding themselves stuck in the snow.
She said no amount of commitment or urgency could justify someone risking their life by travelling during dangerous weather conditions.
Meanwhile, under the Cold Waves Anticipatory Action Project led by the Lesotho Red Cross Society, Botha-Bothe Red Cross Coordinator Ms. Tlaleng Maimane said extensive awareness campaigns had been conducted to warn people about the snow.
She said early warning messages called on people to take early action, especially when travelling was necessary.
“We call on people to take early warning messages very seriously and understand that when messages are passed, we are trying to make sure that we do not get incidents of people being trapped in the snow,” she said.
The Department of Meteorological Services continues to issue weather updates warning of snowfall today and tomorrow, while people are urged to take precautionary measures and avoid travelling to mountainous areas until they receive further advice.
Ends/MAJL
