MOST major dams in the southern region are now below 30% capacity, a situation that might force cities to introduce tight water rationing systems, latest statistics from the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) have revealed.

Source: Southern region dam levels critical – NewsDay Zimbabwe September 9, 2016

by Stephen Chadenga

Most parts of the country received erratic rains during the last rainy season as a result of the El Niño weather pattern.

Zinwa figures show that supply dams for Bulawayo, Gweru, Masvingo and Beitbridge were now below 30% capacity as at August 26.

“Bulawayo’s supply dams Lower Ncema and Upper Ncema are now at 31,6% and 0,2%, respectively,” the water authority revealed in a report.
Mtshabezi, which is used for irrigation and water supply is at 59,9%.

Lake Mutirikwi in Masvingo, which is the biggest inland water reservoir in the country, is now at only 13,5% capacity.

In Gweru, Gwenoro and Whitewaters are now at 41,7% and 47,6% respectively while in Kwekwe Sebakwe and Lower Zibagwe dams were at 57% from 65% capacity in March this year.

Whitewaters and Gwenoro, which supply Gweru are now at 47,6% and 41,7%, respectively, down from about 57%, four months ago.

In Kwekwe, Sebakwe and Lower Zibagwe dams, which also supply Redcliff town, are at 57% capacity down from 65% in March this year.

Early this year, Gweru City Council announced that it would introduce water rationing to avert a water crisis in the Midlands capital.