Floods likely as dams fill up

via Floods likely as dams fill up | The Herald January 6, 2015

Several parts of the country are at risk of flooding as dams have filled up from rains received between December 29 and January 4, the Zimbabwe National Water Authority has said. In a statement yesterday, ZINWA corporate communications and marketing manager Ms Marjorie Munyonga said the recent increase in water volume in dams due to rains could result in flooding.

“Chances of flooding in the flood-prone areas of Zimbabwe which include, Muzarabani, Gokwe, Middle Sabi, Tsholotsho, Malipati and Chikwalakwala are increasing due to significant flows in the major rivers.”

She said most dams, due to the heavy continuous rains experienced, had increased volume by an average of more than 2 percent.

“The country’s dam levels are rising significantly due to the in-flows from the heavy rainfall activities being experienced across the country,” she said.

“The national dam levels increased significantly by 2.45 percent since December 29, 2014 and now stand at 73.2 percent full.”

She said flows in the Manyame Catchment in Manyame, Musengezi and Angwa Rivers had already caused flooding along Harare-Karoi Road.

“The Harare-Karoi Road is flooded at Angwa River due to throw back effect of Reinfield Dam. Lion’s Den-Mhangura is also threatened due to Two Tree Dam.

“Valves at the two dams are to be opened as soon as possible,” she said.

She said Muzarabani and Chivero received rainfall that could result in flooding if the rains continued with the same intensity.

“The situation in Muzarabani is not looking good as recent satellite images points to potential flooding. The dam levels in the catchment stand at 86.8 percent full on average having increased by 2.4 percent since December 29, 2014. Chivero Dam increased significantly by 10.4 percent and is expected to fill in the next 14 days if the heavy rains continue.”

Lake Chivero which supplies Harare with water is 76 percent full while Manyame is at 86.4 percent full.

In Mashonaland West Province, Mazvikadei Dam is 91 percent full while Matabeleland South’s Mtshabezi Dam is at 92.7 percent full.

Rusape Dam in Manicaland is 91.1 percent full and Masvingo’s Bangala Dam is 82 percent full.

Rufaro Dam is almost full with 99,8 percent while Manjirenji Dam is at 83,2 percent.

Osborne Dam is 68.7 percent full, Wenimbi Dam (81.2 percent), Nyambuya Dam (82.7 percent), Gwenoro Dam (66.2 percent) and Insukamini Dam (60.3 percent). Some dams did not receive meaningful inflows despite the heavy rains falling in all parts of the country. These are Mutirikwi Dam (37.4 percent), Seke Dam (29.1 percent), Mazoe Dam (10.9 percent), Mzingwane 39 percent full, Harava Dam (14.2 percent) and Upper Ncema (33.5 percent).

Ms Munyonga said Lake Kariba was 52 percent full and the current lake level was above 39,8 percent.

“In the Gwayi Catchment which covers greater parts of Matabeleland North province, the dam levels are averaging 74,6 percent full.

“There are relatively high chances of flooding in the Tsholotsho area as heavy rains are being expected in the Northern parts of the country,” said Ms Munyonga.

Mzingwane Catchment stood at 80.2 percent full while Save Catchment increased to 80 percent full. Chances of flooding in the Middle Sabi remain high as the rainfall activities continue,” she said.

Ms Munyonga, however, noted that Tokwe-Mukosi Dam which suffered massive flooding last year had its flow under control.

Last year over 2 700 families which were displaced by the Tokwe-Mukosi Dam floods in Chivi.

The Meteorological Services Department forecaster, Mr John Mupuro yesterday said the past week was characterised by numerous thunderstorms and heavy rain across the country with devastating amounts being registered in all three Mashonaland provinces, Manicaland and Harare.