By Staff Reporter

The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has informed that the rise in water levels in Kariba Dam will likely result in uninterrupted water allocation for power generation for both Zimbabwe and Zambia.

In a statement yesterday, the ZRA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Munyaradzi Munodawafa said the authority had maintained its 30 billion cubic metres (BCM) water allocation for power generation projects at Kariba Dam after the Meteorological Services Department projected normal to above normal rainfall patterns for the 2020/21 season.

“Based on the Meteorological Authorities’ projections of normal to above normal rains for the on-going 2020/2021 rainfall season, the Authority has maintained the 30 BCM of water allocated for power generation operations at Kariba for the year 2021.

However, the Authority continues to monitor the evolving hydrological situation under the Kariba catchment. This is being undertaken, taking cognisance of the increased rainfall activity, and resulting water levels at Kariba dam, with the view of making consideration regarding the possibility of revising the water allocation at Kariba dam,” said Munodawafa.

Munodawafa further said that the water flows into Kariba Dam has increased by approximately 3.96 metres since 19 January 2021.

“From the last update made on January 19, 2021, the levels (water) have increased by a total of 3, 96 metres from lake level of 476, 80 metres to a level of 480, 76 metres recorded on March 2.  This has placed the lake level at 5, 26 metres above minimum operating level (MOL) of 475, 50 metres. This lake level recorded on the 2nd of March 2021, translates to usable storage or live storage of 24, 31 billion cubic metres,” Munodawafa said.

In 2019, Zimbabweans endured an average eight hours a day without electricity because of depressed power generation at the Kariba Hydro Power Station, where authorities were rationing water allocations due to low water levels in the lake caused by the severe drought of 2018/19.