Staff Reporter

Water levels at Lake Kariba and major flow stations along the Zambezi River have continued a steady upward trend over the past week, offering encouraging signs for the region’s power generation capacity and ecological health.

According to the latest hydrological data, Lake Kariba recorded a water level of 477.51 metres on 29 April 2025, which translates to 13.95 percent usable storage. This marks a modest but significant increase from the same date last year, when the lake stood at 477.44 metres with 13.45 percent usable storage. Although the reservoir remains far below its mid-capacity,

In an interview with this publication, experts say the current gains represent a positive shift following extended periods of low inflows and attributed the rise to sustained seasonal rainfall and better inflows from upstream catchments across the Zambezi River basin.

“This is an encouraging hydrological signal. We are seeing upstream catchments responding well to rainfall. If these flows continue, they will provide much-needed relief to Lake Kariba and the region’s energy supply,” said Dr. Edwin Mandaza, a water resources analyst.

Energy analyst Nyasha Gondo also noted the broader implications.

“Kariba’s performance directly affects electricity generation for both Zimbabwe and Zambia. While these increases are promising, the lake’s usable storage remains under 14 percent, so sustained inflows and careful water management are still essential,” said Gondo

Meanwhile, upstream river flow stations are reporting substantial increases compared to the same period in 2024. At Chavuma, flows reached 3,065 cubic metres per second (m³/s) on 29 April, more than triple the 916 m³/s recorded on the same date last year. Ngonye Falls recorded a similarly strong increase, with flows measured at 2,970 m³/s, up from 834 m³/s in 2024. At Victoria Falls, flows rose from 2,352 m³/s on 23 April to 2,498 m³/s on 29 April, compared to just 711 m³/s on the same date last year.

The Zambezi River’s long-term mean annual flow at Victoria Falls is approximately 1,100 m³/s. While current figures remain well above average, authorities and experts alike caution that climate variability remains a long-term risk, underscoring the importance of continued monitoring and adaptive water resource management.