When severe droughts are ravaging the country leaving many villages without water for consumption and domestic purposes like bathing, washing and drinking, King Letsie III has appealed to the public to pray for rains.

In a written message from the Royal Palace, the King has set aside three consecutive Sundays staring on October 26 until November 09 to be dedicated to pray for rains, and urged all the nation to go to various churches on those days and jointly ask the Al Mighty for rains. "You are all witnesses that the current drought is rife and has spread throughout the country.  Plants in general, animals as well as people are thirsty and need rains for survival," the message said.

The King, made a special appeal to the heads of churches, all the chiefs and the public at large to dedicate the three Sundays for praying for rains. The statement further pointed out that the King has already requested the Christian Council of Churches (CCL) to convey the message to their respective congregations to honour this appeal.

On the other hand, the Minister of Natural Resources Mr. Monyane Moleleki also urged the public to use traditional ways of praying for rain such as 'papali ea lesokoana' for women and hunting for men in the National Assembly on Monday. He also stated that his Ministry has ordered the Lesotho Highlands Water Authority (LHDA) to open reservoirs at 'Muela dam to try to remedy the situation.

Water has since been rationed in the Maseru city in exchange with villages around the capital getting water supply after working hours and the business centre during working hours.

22 October 2003