Zivanai Dhewa

The rains that poured in all parts of the country in the past week have brought relief as dam levels have begun to rise, The Harare Post has learnt.

 The rains also brought relief to the crops that were beginning to be affected by the scorching heat and to irrigation farmers who were now faced with low dam levels as well as the general citizens who were on the verge of facing shortages of drinking water.

The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZNWA) has released its latest dam levels and indication that the country is now in a better position that it was at the beginning of the second season of the 2019/2020 rainy season.

“Dam levels continue on a steady rise on the backdrop of the rains being received in various parts of the country and improved river flows. As at January 20, 2020, the national dam level average had risen to 49.2% marking a 0.88% improvement since January 13, 2020.

Gwayi Catchment has a dam level average of 43.5%, Manyame Catchment 74.1%, Mazowe Catchment 76.5%, Mzingwane 45.6%, Runde 39.9%, Sanyati 48.9% and Save 53.7%. The national dam level average, however, remains lower than the 64.2% national dam level average expected during this period of the year,” read part of the press release.

ZINWA has noted significant water inflow into the Zambezi and Mazoe rivers, also Save and Runde Rivers.

“There has also been an improvement in the flows in the Zambezi, Limpopo, Save, Odzi, Runde, Devure, Pungwe, Musengezi and Mazowe Rivers. These improvements in the river flows and dam levels bring relief to a significant number of areas that have been water stressed in recent weeks,” said the ZINWA Corporate Communications and Marketing Manager, Mrs Marjorie Munyonga.

ZINWA further implored people to continue using water sparingly and not put it to waste.  Also those who use water from the dams should continue to use in accordance with the provisions of the Water Act, which requires such users to have water abstraction agreements entered into with the authority.