Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
GOVERNMENT has installed an automatic weather station at Lake Kariba to strengthen water transport safety, improve disaster preparedness and enable authorities to respond more effectively to changing weather conditions on the country’s largest inland water body.
The development forms part of broader efforts by the Government to modernise inland water transport systems following the acquisition of patrol boats, communication infrastructure and other equipment aimed at enhancing safety on major water bodies, particularly Lake Kariba.
The automatic weather station was installed at the Kariba Control Tower last week by engineers from the Meteorological Services Department working together with officials from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development’s Department of Inland Waters Control.
In a statement, the ministry said the weather station would allow authorities to operate proactively using real-time and accurate local weather data.
“The Department of Inland Waters Control, led by Acting Director Captain Chitenga, visited the site with Meteorological Services engineers overseeing the installation of the Automatic Weather Station at the Kariba Control Tower,” the ministry said.
“Following an assessment of signal clearance and exposure, the engineers confirmed that the topmost deck of the control tower is the most suitable location for the sensors. This position provides unobstructed readings for wind speed, wind direction and rainfall, while minimising turbulence interference.”
According to the ministry, the system will significantly improve the monitoring of weather conditions on the lake, helping authorities safeguard lives, coordinate rescue operations and manage infrastructure sustainably.
“The Automatic Weather Station will empower the control centre to operate proactively by using accurate local weather data to safeguard lives, coordinate rescue operations, and manage infrastructure sustainably. It transforms the centre from a reactive facility into a hub of resilience, efficiency and safety,” said the ministry.
An automatic weather station is a system fitted with specialised sensors that continuously collect and transmit weather information such as wind speed, wind direction, rainfall, temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure.
The equipment is particularly important on large water bodies such as Lake Kariba where sudden weather changes, strong winds and storms can pose serious risks to boats, fishermen, tourists and surrounding communities.
By providing real-time weather updates and early warnings, the station will help authorities make faster operational decisions, issue safety alerts, guide rescue missions and reduce accidents on the lake.
The technology is also expected to improve coordination between transport authorities, emergency services and local communities during adverse weather conditions.
Zimbabwe’s Department of Inland Waters Control, which falls under the Ministry of Transport, is mandated to facilitate safe and efficient inland water transport services while ensuring safer and cleaner inland waterways under the Inland Waters Shipping Act.
