Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve Victoria Falls Reporter
THE mighty Kariba is losing water but keeping lights on!
The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has revealed that Lake Kariba levels are steadily falling, as expected at this time of year. But here’s the twist — the lake still holds more than double the water it had last year, giving power consumers hope that the dreaded dark days of crippling load-shedding may not return soon.
As of 18 August, the lake sat at 478.57 metres, translating to 13.88 billion cubic metres of usable water, or 21.43 percent of capacity for power generation. Compare that to last year’s sorry state — just 476.89 metres and 6.21 BCM, a measly 9.60 percent.
“The Kariba Lake is designed to operate between levels 475.50m and 488.50m for hydropower generation,” said ZRA in its update, confirming the lake remains in the safe zone.
Thanks to better rains last season, the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) reported a strong 424 megawatts flowing from Kariba South on Monday, steadying the national grid. For context, last year Zambia and Zimbabwe were rationed to just 27 BCM, slashing power output and plunging homes and industries into darkness.
This time, Kariba is carrying the nation. “The hydrometric network used for day-to-day operations of the Kariba reservoir comprise of 13 stations… flow measurements are carried out at eight of these, including Victoria Falls,” ZRA explained.
For history buffs, the biggest ever recorded flow at Victoria Falls came in March 1958 at a staggering 10,000 cubic metres per second, while the lowest came in the 1995/96 drought.
Yes, water will keep sliding down until the rains return, but for now Kariba has given Zimbabwe a lifeline, buying time and power for the people.
