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2025 Botswana floods

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2025 Botswana floods were caused by several days of severe rainfall across the country,[1][2] including Ghanzi,[3] Gaborone[4] and Francistown among other regions.[5] The severe flooding lead to widespread closure of roads, as well as the Botswana government closing all schools from the 19th to 24 February.[6] Overflowing rivers and dams caused extensive infrastructure damage and displaced residents. At least 31 were killed, including 22 in KwaZulu-Natal and 9 in Gaborone. [7] [8]

Relief Efforts

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The Botswana Red Cross Society provided emergency assistance to affected families and regions, by distributing food, clean water, blankets, and temporary shelter for displaced residents.[9] The European Union provided €150,000 in humanitarian aid.[10] UNICEF appealed for US$350,000 to support government efforts at delivering life-saving aid and working towards long-term recovery.[11]

Olympic Gold medallist Letsile Tebogo has been praised in him saving stranded civilians in Gaborone and taking them into his vehicle,[12] describing him as "a true man of the people".[13]

References

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  1. ↑ "Botswana floods: Schools and roads closed after relentless rain". BBC Weather. 2025-02-20. Retrieved 2026-01-02.
  2. ↑ "Devastating floods in Botswana: UNICEF calls for US$350,000 to support children and families". www.unicef.org. Retrieved 2026-01-02.
  3. ↑ cfeditoren (2025-02-22). "Flood Displaces 600 in Ghanzi District". Botswana. Retrieved 2026-01-02.
  4. ↑ "PressReader.com - Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions". www.pressreader.com. Retrieved 2026-01-02.
  5. ↑ "Relentless rain leaves widespread flooding in Botswana – YourBotswana".
  6. ↑ "Botswana temporarily closes schools due to torrential rains". 19 February 2025.
  7. ↑ Davies, Richard. "Flooding in Botswana, February 2025". global-flood.emergency.copernicus.eu. Retrieved 2026-01-02.
  8. ↑ "Increasing extreme rainfall and rapid urbanisation, major drivers behind Gaborone's deadly floods". World Weather Attribution. March 13, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Heavy Rains Trigger Widespread Flooding Across Botswana". Botswana Youth Magazine. February 20, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Botswana: European Union supports people affected by devastating flood". europa.eu. April 8, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Devastating floods in Botswana: UNICEF calls for US$350,000 to support children and families". UNICEF. February 25, 2025.
  12. ↑ Bregman, Scott (21 February 2025). "Paris 2024 gold medallist Letsile Tebogo comes to the aid of stranded drivers". Olympics.com.
  13. ↑ Ormond, Cameron (February 19, 2025). "Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo rescues citizens from severe flooding".
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