Zimbabwe water authority frets over dwindling dam levels as El Nino strikes

The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) has urged farmers to use dam water sparingly to delay the depletion of the resource which is dwindling due to the dry spell that the country is experiencing.

ZINWA head of corporate communications Marjorie Munyonga said water levels in major dams have started declining as demand for irrigation has been rising as farmers seek to sustain their summer crop.

“Dam level averages for Mashonaland East, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South and the Midlands are currently below the average expected during this time of the year in a normal season,” she said.

“As at February 22, 2024, at least 35 percent more water had been released from the dams for irrigation than in a normal rainy season while the national dam level average had declined to 84.2 percent from 84.4 percent on February 14, 2024.

“Declines in water levels due to increased releases for irrigation have been noted in dams such as Tugwi-Mukosi, Manyuchi, Mazvikadei, Sebakwe, Manyame, Chivero and Osborne.”

Munyonga said the proportion of cities, towns, growth points and rural service centres whose raw water sources hold sufficient water to last them for a period of at least 21 months now stands at 51.1 percent with the proportion of those that enough to last between 12 months and 20.9 months currently at 38.3 percent.

“A proportion of 10.9 percent of cities, towns, growth points and rural service centres are water insecure with their raw water supply dams holding water that can last them for less than 12 months. The proportion is expected to grow should the current drought conditions persist,” she said.

“Areas in that category include Chegutu, Mt Darwin, Figtree, Gwanda, Bulawayo and Mutoko.

“These developments point to a very critical water security situation for the country during the year with very limited water available for socio-economic activities such as the upcoming winter cropping season and for domestic purposes.”

There was therefore need for sustainable, efficient and sound management of the limited available water, she said.

“ZINWA is therefore appealing to all individuals and entities intending to draw water from national dams for the winter cropping season to apply for or to renew their water abstraction agreements as required by the law,” said Munyonga.

Zimbabwe is bracing for grain shortages as crops on rainfed land is wilting and withering under the scorching sun after the rains did not fall as normally expected owing to the El Nino effect.

The government says it is putting in place necessary measures to mitigate the situation and ensure that none of its citizens die of hunger. New Ziana