adminIn Bulawayo, Mzingwane dam including Insiza and Nyamandlovu Aquifer are 30,1 and 49,1 percent full, a situation described as critical.
In Mutare, Kadoma, Rusape, Bindura, Chivhu, Mutoko, Mt Darwin, Mvurwi, Buhera and Inyati Mine dams are over 100 percent full.
For Bulawayo, two scenarios were considered. The city has a drawdown of 8 100 mega litres per month. In the present set up, Insiza can only supply 2 700mega litres per month due to a limited pipeline capacity. The other dams meet the remaining 4 244 mega litres. If all Insiza water goes to the city and the pipeline limit is overcome the city has 21,2 months of water left. If limitations of Insiza dam are considered then 7,8 months remain.
In Marondera, Rufaro, Nyambuya and Nyakambiri dams are 90 percent full. Zinwa says the area has enough supply to next run off season if Rufaro dam water is included.
Beitbridge dams are 13,7 percent full which is a critical situation. However, according to Zinwa, the town has a back up since it is now drawing water from Zhovhe Dam, which is 83,8 percent full.
The season started late for most parts of the country. The onset of the season in most parts of the country was in the third week of November. At the onset of rains, distribution across most provinces was erratic followed by a long dry spell coupled with very high temperatures in parts of Mashonaland provinces and low lying areas of Manicaland.
Online Reporter