Increasing extreme rainfall and rapid urbanisation, major drivers behind Gaborone’s deadly floods

In mid-February 2025, heavy rainfall in southern Botswana and eastern South Africa caused severe flooding, resulting in the loss of 31 lives, with 22 in KwaZulu-Natal and nine in Botswana’s capital, Gaborone, including six children. This led to the displacement of 5,000 people and widespread chaos in both countries, affecting major ports and schools. Scientists from various countries studied the event to understand the impact of human-induced climate change on the heavy rainfall. Findings indicated that heavy rainfall was rare and intensified by climate change, affecting urban areas and infrastructure. Efforts are being made to improve flood resilience through better drainage systems and disaster preparedness.