Online Reporter
Walter Nyamukondiwa-Mashonaland West Bureau Chief
THE Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) will today partially open Sluice Gate 3 to conduct a leakage test after the successful completion of rehabilitation works.
About 1 500 cubic metres of water, enough to generate electricity for 3 seconds, will flow through the completed sluice before it is shut again, starting from around 5.30pm.
ZRA undertook the same process for Sluices 1 and 2 earlier this year to ensure the refurbished gates function as expected.
“As part of the ongoing Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project (KDRP), a controlled leakage test will be carried out on Wednesday, July 2 2025 at 5.30pm following the successful completion of works on Sluice 3,” said ZRA in a statement.
“During the test, approximately 1 500 cubic metres of water will be released. To put it in perspective, this amount of water could power electricity generation for about 3 seconds—a small and carefully managed release.”
ZRA assured people around and downstream of Kariba that the test was controlled under monitoring from experts.
“This is a planned activity, and members of the public are kindly advised not to be alarmed. Everything is under control, and experts will closely monitor the test. The gate will be closed immediately once the test confirms everything is in order,” said ZRA.
