via Chances of flooding low: Zinwa – DailyNews Live 19 January 2015 by Margaret Chinowaita
HARARE – The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) said chances of flooding in the flood-prone areas of Zimbabwe are very low at the moment with the national dam levels remaining at 78,5percent.
A hydrologist with Zinwa, Deborah Musiiwa revealed this when she presented a paper at a meeting on the emergencies arising from recent and anticipated floods countrywide chaired by Ignatius Chombo the minister of Local Government, last week.
Musiiwa said the flood-prone areas in Zimbabwe include Muzarabani, Gokwe, Middle Sabi, Tsholotsho, Malapati and Chikwalakwala.
“Lake Kariba is 54 percent full and the current lake level is above the 39,8percent expected level at this time of the year,” said Musiiwa.
“Flooding risk in Angwa River downstream of Reinfield Dam and Rukomichi is now very low.
“The situation in Muzarabani and Chidodo is now under control.
Musiiwa said Mazvikadei, Chivero and Harava dams were spilling.
“Bhiri-Manyame Dam is at 84,7percent; however it’s valves are open in order to release water to accommodate the expected flows from Manyame Dam which is now at 97,7 percent full.
“The communities downstream of the dam are urged to take note of this and expect significant rise in water levels in the river despite the rainfall activities,” said the hydrologist.
In the Mazowe Catchment which covers mainly the Mashonaland Central Province, the dam levels now stand at 81,4 percent full on average. Mwenje, Mwarazi and Mufurudzi dams are some of the major dams spilling in the catchment.
Musiiwa said the water level in the Tokwe-Murkorsi Dam is approximately 25 million cubic metres.
In the Mzingwane Catchment, mainly Matabeleland South Province, the dam levels are averaging 82,9 full.
Dams that are already spilling include Mundi-Mataga and Antelope. The Limpopo River levels are still averaging 1,8m since the 11th of January.
Musiiwa said chances of flooding in neighbouring areas of Chikwalakwala are very remote at the moment.
Zimbabwe was affected by severe flooding in some areas mainly, Mashonaland Central and West Provinces. Rivers burst from incessant rains causing flooding.
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