Extreme weather conditions in Lesotho

Lesotho Red Cross responds to severe weather conditions
ReliefWeb (press release) - Geneva,Switzerland
By Mark South In the wake of a freak tornado, the Lesotho Red Cross are stocking up on tents in case of a repeat strike. The twister which struck the country in early January is just one example of the extreme weather Southern Africa has been experiencing over the past few weeks, in many cases the worst on record. Torrential rains and related heavy flooding have been the major challenges with Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe all suffering inundations which have forced thousands from their homes. Lesotho was different in that it was wind rather than rain which caused problems. "We are very lucky because we haven't had floods, so it makes it much easier to get out to the villages to help people," explained Teboho Kitlehi, director General of the Lesotho Red Cross ... "This has been some of the worst weather we've ever experienced at this time of year, houses and property have been destroyed but fortunately, of those affected so far, we have had only two fatalities," said Kitlehi ... According to an initial assessment carried out jointly by the Lesotho Red Cross and Disaster Management Authority, Mafeteng District in the south of the country was the hardest hit, with 4,000 people affected and 189 houses completely destroyed ...