Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Showbiz | Your Daily Dose of Zimbabwean Entertainment News & Celebrity BuzzShowbiz | Your Daily Dose of Zimbabwean Entertainment News & Celebrity Buzz

Local News

Lake Kariba Water Levels Rise Following Heavy Rains

The water levels at Lake Kariba are steadily increasing, offering a positive outlook for Zimbabwe and Zambia, which heavily depend on the reservoir for hydroelectric power generation.

 

The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) reported in its latest hydrological survey on Monday that consistent rainfall in the dam’s catchment area has led to the rise in water levels.

 

“The lake level is gradually improving due to sustained rainfall in the reservoir and surrounding catchment areas, closing the review period at 475.87m (2.61% usable storage) as of January 6, 2025. This is compared to 477.28m (12.32% usable storage) recorded on the same date last year,” the ZRA noted.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

 

The Kariba Dam, designed to operate between 475.50m and 488.50m for power generation, recorded a slight increase from 11.38% full on December 28, 2024, to 12.32% on January 6, 2025.

Also Read:General Sibanda Retains ZDF Command Despite Reaching Retirement Agekari

Impact of Previous Low Water Levels

 

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

In November 2022, the Kariba South Power Station in Zimbabwe ceased electricity generation due to critically low water levels caused by an El Niño-induced drought.

 

The dry spell had resulted in an imbalance between the dam’s water intake and consumption by the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA). This led the ZRA, which jointly manages the dam for both countries, to issue a directive suspending electricity generation at Kariba South.

 

During this period, Zambia, which managed its water consumption more conservatively, was allocated most of the remaining water, while Zimbabwe struggled with energy shortages exacerbated by rising fuel prices amid the global impacts of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

 

Significance of the Kariba Dam

 

With an installed capacity of 1,626 megawatts, the Kariba Dam plays a critical role in powering regional economies. Constructed during the colonial era, the dam was initially intended to bolster economic growth in settler-controlled territories. However, it has since become a cornerstone for the independent states of Zimbabwe and Zambia, providing the majority of their electricity needs today.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

ABOUT US

 

ShowBiz Zimbabwe

Dive into the world of Zimbabwean entertainment with Showbiz! We deliver the latest news on your favorite celebrities, musicians, actors, and everything in between.

Email: editor@showbiz.co.zw

Advertisement

You May Also Like

World News

Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu has blamed his successor, Hakainde Hichilema, for the nationwide power blackout that occurred on Sunday, which left critical institutions,...

Local News

Zimbabwe has officially signed the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Fisheries Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance Coordination Centre (MCSCC) Charter. This step is aimed...

Local News

Zimbabweans should brace for increased load shedding as the festive season nears, largely due to frequent equipment failures in units one to six at...

Local News

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority must address the issue of ‘Macheni.’ the spiritual crocodile The Gatche-Gatche community, residing along Lake Kariba’s shores, relies primarily...

Local News

Lake July Festival organiser speaks out By Peter Tinashe Kaviya Tawanda Madzara, organiser of the inaugural Lake July Festival which ended Sunday at Lake...

Advertisement