Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
WATER levels at Lake Kariba are steadily rising following increased rainfall activity and improved inflows from the Zambezi River, according to authorities.
The continued rise in water levels is expected to bring relief to the energy sector in both Zimbabwe and Zambia, which rely heavily on Kariba’s hydropower generation.
In its latest update, released this Monday, the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) reported that the lake level had reached 479.10 metres, marking a significant improvement compared to the 476.83 metres recorded during the same period last year.
The increase translates to 25.28 percent usable storage capacity for power generation, up from 9.18 percent during the same time last year.
The authority attributed the positive trend to persistent rainfall around the lake and its immediate catchment area, as well as a steady increase in water inflows from the Zambezi River.
Officials indicated that the upward trajectory was expected to continue as the 2025/2026 rainy season progresses.
The usable live storage volume has also risen to 16.38 billion cubic metres (BCM), a notable recovery from 5.95 BCM recorded the same period last year.
However, the current levels remain below those recorded in a strong rainfall year such as 2019, when the lake reached 480.65 metres and storage capacity stood at 36.68 percent.
ZRA noted that Lake Kariba is designed to operate between 475.50 metres and 488.50 metres, with a freeboard of 0.70 metres, to support efficient hydropower generation.
