Between 15 and 19 March 2026, the Central District of Botswana, specifically the Palapye Sub District, faced a catastrophic flood emergency. Multiple areas including Majwaneng, Lerala, Seolwane, Mokokwana, Mosweu, Maunatlala, Martins Drift, and surrounding farming regions were inundated. The crisis was marked by an extraordinary rainfall of approximately 235 mm recorded at Molebatsi Primary School in Majwaneng on 15 March, overwhelming the local drainage systems and leading to widespread flooding in homes, roads, and agricultural fields. This event impacted around 800 families, causing significant disruption.
The flooding forced Moeng College to close, as an overflowing stream cut off access between the boarding area and classrooms, making the environment unsafe for learners. The sudden surge in the emergency prompted the scale-up of assistance and a request from local authorities. To ensure an effective prioritization of response, the National Society initiated an assessment on 17 March to guide ongoing operations.
By 20 March, the assessment confirmed an escalation in needs and vulnerabilities, with a total of 7,829 people affected across different districts. In the Central/Palapye District, over 2,335 households (comprising 7,707 individuals) suffered damage to their shelters, loss of household items, and displacement. Children, the elderly, and female-headed households were particularly vulnerable. Livelihood losses included the death of livestock.
The flooding also disrupted movement along the B140 near the Maape turnoff, further restricting access to critical routes. Concurrently, conditions worsened in the North West District (Khwai), where rising waters from the Okavango Delta led to the inundation of homesteads, forced relocations, and temporary disruptions to access to the primary school. Early March assessments noted extensive structural damage and restricted movement, directly affecting 37 households (122 people). This led to a written request for support from local authorities on 17 March.
The combined impact of these events constituted a widespread hydrometeorological emergency across central and northwestern Botswana. The Department of Meteorological Services’forecasts indicate that above-average rainfall may continue into April 2026, potentially increasing the number of affected households in more remote areas.
Source: reliefweb
