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Rumbidzayi Zinyuke
Senior Reporter
MANICALAND’S most arid district — Buhera — has this year received arguably the highest rainfall in decades, a development that has seen Marovanyati, Ruti and Nerutanga dams spilling for the first time.
As a result, the District Civil Protection Committee is on high alert for possible flash floods in communities downstream as the rains continue pounding.
The region is traditionally dry and prone to droughts, a situation that resulted in the majority of its water points totally drying up in the last two seasons.
According to the Zimbabwe National Water Authority, Marovanyati Dam, which was commissioned by President Mnangagwa last year, is now 100 percent full; while Nerutanga is also full and already spilling.
Ruti Dam is currently at 91,4 percent, but might reach full capacity if the rains continue.
Zinwa corporate communications and marketing manager, Ms Marjorie Munyonga, said there is a possibility of flooding downstream, adding that communities should remain alert.
“At the moment, we cannot say there will be flooding, but communities downstream are beginning to see increased flow of rivers and if the rains continue, there might be flooding in some areas. We urge communities to be alert and avoid activities near the flooded rivers,” she said.
Acting Buhera District Development Coordinator, Mr Freeman Mavhiza, said the district received more rain this year.
“Some of our dams are now spilling and we have already established evacuation centers in case we need to evacuate the people downstream. For now, we are monitoring the river flows,” he said.
Marovanyati Dam has a storage capacity
of 50 million cubic metres and is located on the Mwerihari River, a perennial stream with an annual flow of 182 million cubic metres, feeding thousands of villagers.
The dam has an irrigation capacity of 1 249 hectares and is already benefitting 34 farmers at the Murambinda A Irrigation Scheme.
Work on the second scheme, Guwanda/Murambinda B, has already commenced to ensure increased food production and reduce hunger and poverty in the communities.
Ruti and Nerutanga dams are yet to be tapped for irrigation purposes, although preliminary works have been done to ascertain the irrigation capacity.
The increase in water supply in the district will also benefit thousands of villagers who were struggling to access clean water for years.
By September last year, at least 58 boreholes and deep wells had completely dried, while another 88 were yielding less water. The figures had significantly increased by the time the rain season commenced in November.
“Most of our water bodies have been replenished and this is a positive development. We have more water than we have had in many years and the crop situation is better.
“Although some crops have been affected by leaching due, we expect more families to be food secure this year,” said Mr Mavhiza.
But despite the replenished water sources, Mr Mavhiza said the district still needs to establish more boreholes in preparation of possible future droughts.
He said once the rain season is over, Buhera Rural District Council will forge ahead with plans to sink more boreholes.
“We are happy that this year we have had a reprieve from the drought and we have enough water. However, the water problems might resurface after this season and that’s why we need to be prepared. We need to make provisions for a constant clean water supply,” he said.
Just like in other districts across the province, the heavy rains have also left a trail of destruction.
Of major concern is the Murambinda-Birchenough Bridge Road which has become almost impassable.
Tarring of the road has been on the cards for years, but progress has been stalled due to lack of funds.
Mr Mavhiza said many smaller roads and bridges were also damaged, thereby leaving villagers stranded.
ends
Online Reporter