Zimbabwe’s second largest interior dam Tugwi-Mukosi spilled for the second time since its commissioning sparking fears of flooding in downstream areas in a development that has prompted the Civil Protection Unit in Chiredzi to be on high alert.

The historic spilling of the 1,8bilion cubic metre capacity dam follows incessant rains in its catchment that stretches as far as Zvishavane in the Midlands.

Tugwi-Mukosi started spilling around 10am yesterday prompting the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) to alert other Government departments to up levels of preparedness in the event of floods in downstream areas.

ZINWA spokesperson Mrs Marjorie Munyonga yesterday said the water management authority was working with other arms to Government to make sure the spilling did not spawn a humanitarian crisis.

“Communities downstream have been advised to be on high alert. We have also notified relevant arms of Government including Masvingo Department of Civil Protection (DCP) of this development (spilling),” said Mrs Munyonga.

She urged farmers and communities with irrigation equipment close to downstream rivers to be on guard to avoid losses.

Chiredzi CPU chair and district development coordinator Mr Lovemore Chisema said (DCP) was working with community leaders including chiefs and village heads to avert any disaster.

“We urge communities to avoid crossing flooded rivers downstream of the dam(Tugwi-Mukosi) particularly Runde and Tugwi Rivers which might flood as a result of the spilling. Communities should stay away from rivers together with their livestock,” said Mr Chisema.

Tugwi-Mukosi Dam spilled for the first time in January last year after heavy rains that pounded most parts of Masvingo.

The dam, built at the confluence of Tugwi and Mukosi rivers, was commissioned in May 2017 and is expected to turn large swathes of the Lowveld into a greenbelt.

It cost around US$250 million to construct and is currently irrigating cane plantations in the Lowveld.