admin
Walter Nyamukondiwa Kariba Bureau
The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) is considering the review of water allocated for power generation following a sustained increase in water levels in the last two months.
Lake Kariba maintained an upward trajectory, gaining nearly 4 metres in the past month, prompting ZRA to consider an upward review of water allocation from the current 30 billion Cubic Metres.
Increased rainfall in the lake’s catchment has seen levels rising by 3.96 metres from January 19 to March 2, leading to a cumulative 5.26m above the minimum operating level for power generation of 475.50m.
This translates to 24.31 billion cubic metre of usable storage.
“However, the Authority continues to monitor the evolving hydrological situation under the Kariba catchment,” said ZRA chief executive Engineer Munyaradzi Munodawafa.
“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.”
More inflows are expected from the Upper Zambezi Catchment which pours in about 70 percent of seasonal flows.
Online Reporter