Source: Dams swell as rains continue, boon for power generation, agriculture – herald
Walter Nyamukondiwa
Mashonaland West Bureau Chief
Increased rains have given Zimbabwe a reason to smile as the strategic irrigation and water-supply reservoirs are fast filling, while higher flows along the Zambezi River Catchment bolster power generation prospects at Kariba.
As of January 14, about 34 percent (a third) of the country’s major inland dams were full and spilling, while the national average levels are around 85,6 percent.
The figure shows that the country has received about 21 percent more inflows into water reservoirs than during the same period in the 2024/25 rain season.
This augers well for the replenishment of decreased levels affected by successive droughts and below normal rains.
Lake Kariba has recorded a marginal increase in water levels over the same period last year, prompting the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) to increase water allocation for power generation by two billion cubic metres (BCM) to 30BCM for the first quarter of 2026. ZRA is expected to review upwards the water allocation for power generation after the first peak inflows in March.
The second peak inflows reach Lake Kariba in May or June, giving ZRA a clearer picture of hydrological conditions to determine water allocation for power generation.
Water levels have increased to 476,19m (4,80 percent) from 475, 93m (3,02 percent) recorded over the same period in 2025.
The year 2019 remains the best performing season in recent years at 482,14m of water, which represented 41 percent of usable water storage for power generation.
Flows at gauging stations such as Chavuma and Victoria Falls, along the Upper-Zambezi River Basin have more than doubled since the beginning of the year when compared to the same period last year. If high flows persist, the impact on water levels in Lake Kariba will be seen in March owing to the two months time lag caused by distance. As of January 5, flow levels at Victoria Falls gauging station had increased to 525 cubic metres per second (CM per second) from 325CM per second two weeks earlier.
At least 320CM per second was recorded during the same period in 2025.
Based on preliminary hydrological conditions, the ZRA Council of Ministers approved the allocation of 30BCM of water for power generation to be shared equally by the Zimbabwean and Zambian power utilities.
This is an increase of 2BCM from the 28BCM approved in the 4th quarter of last year.
Kariba South Power Station has been averaging 250MW of power output since the beginning of the year, which can invariably be ramped up during peak demand.
With increased inflows, the output can be increased as long as the power utility stays within its allocated 15CBM of water.
Sectors such as agriculture, mining and manufacturing are expected to flourish from availability of water.
High performing dams include, Tugwi–Mukosi, Manyuchi, Zhovhe, Gwenoro, Muzhwi, Amapongokwe, Mamina, Rusape, Ngwenya and Insukamini.
These mostly support irrigation activities and help during the mid-year water shortages in some areas.
A report shared by the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) shows strong performance from Save, Runde, Gwayi and Mzingwane catchment areas, while Bulawayo catchment remains below 50 percent owing to spatial rains.
Low performing dams also include Seke, Mazowe and Mwenje.
This season represents one of the best performing rainfall seasons in recent years, improving the country’s water security outlook. As a result, Zimbabwe looks set to meet domestic water needs for major cities and towns. It also puts the country in a strong position to support irrigation, particularly during the winter cropping season. Zinwa head of corporate communication, Mrs Marjorie Munyonga, expressed optimism that the country water security position would continue to strengthen as the season progresses.
“As of January 14, 2026, the national dam level average had risen to 85.6% compared to the 63. 8% recorded during the same week last year,” she said.
“The water security position is expected to further firm up as more rains are still being anticipated. This development places the country in better stead to meet the domestic water requirements for major cities and towns, as well as the irrigation needs for the impending winter cropping season.”
Zimbabwe’s irrigation capacity has grown to around 221 000ha from about 175 000ha before 2020 and increased rains put the country on course to meet its targeting of increasing capacity to 496 000ha for food security.
The prevailing rain season has boosted prospects of a bumper harvest as crops and livestock have largely been deemed healthy.
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