Tinaye Agere
Debra Matabvu
WATER levels in Lake Kariba have increased over the past two weeks following the rainfall received since the start of the year, the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has said.
In a statement on Monday, ZRA said while current water levels remain lower than those recorded during the same period last year, the recent rains have contributed to a steady rise.
“The Kariba Lake is designed to operate between levels 475,50m and 488,50m, with a 0,70m freeboard for hydropower generation,” the statement reads.
“The lake level is steadily increasing as the rainy season progresses, though it remains lower than last year’s levels, closing the period under review at 476,01m (3,57 percent usable storage) as of January 20, 2025, compared to 477,76m (15,71 percent usable storage) recorded on the same date last year.”
ZRA attributed the significant drop in water levels during the 2023/24 season to the El Niño-induced drought, which severely impacted rainfall patterns across the region.
As the rainy season continues, the authority remains optimistic about further improvements in Lake Kariba’s water levels, which are crucial for hydropower generation and regional water supply.
Online Reporter