Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo
THE country’s major dams are nearly 90 percent full, compared to just over 70 percent capacity at this time of the year in 2025, with three dams — Mtshabezi, Bubi-Lupane and Lake Mutirikwi — already spilling.
As the rains continue pouring, the Department of Civil Protection Unit (CPU) has raised concerns about unregulated dams, which may cause serious fatalities to both humans and wildlife in the event that they spill, as this may occur without any warnings, compared to regulated dams which are under constant surveillance by the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa).
“Zimbabwe’s major dams are averaging 89.1 percent capacity. This time last year, the national average stood at 70.9 percent, a significant improvement driven by current inflows,” said Zinwa in its latest dam levels update.
The report also highlighted that 11 national dams are now 100 percent full, naming them as Tugwi-Mukosi, Lake Mutirikwi and Siya, all in Masvingo Province; Zhove, Mtshabezi and Silalabuwa, all in Matabeleland South; Arcaida and Masembura, both in Mashonaland Central; as well as Harava and Seke, located in Chitungwiza and Harare respectively.
Mtshabezi Dam spilled for the first time in nine years last Wednesday and, according to Zinwa, the dam has a capacity of 11.4 million cubic metres.
The news will be welcomed by Bulawayo residents, who have been enduring prolonged water shedding for months.
The city depends on six supply dams — Umzingwane, Inyankuni, Upper Ncema, Lower Ncema, Mtshabezi and Insiza — which frequently fall to critically low levels during drought periods.
In Matabeleland North, Bubi-Lupane Dam spilled last week on January 19, with the water authority saying the dam has a capacity of 39.09 million cubic metres.
“Zinwa continues to monitor dam levels to support water security and informed water resources management,” said the water authority.
