The Kariba Lake levels have been rising steadily due to an increase in local rainfall activity on and around the lake.
The Zambezi River flows at Victoria Falls are steadily increasing, as the rainy season progresses, the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has said.
As of 16 January 2023, ZRA said Kariba Lake level was 475.83m (2.34% usable storage), compared to 478.45m (20.58% usable storage) recorded on the same date last year.
Towards the end of 2022, ZRA advised Zimbabwe and Zambia’s power utilities to drastically cut electricity generation to due critically low dam levels.
ZRA carries out Zambezi River measurements at eight stations which include Victoria Falls, one of the key stations on the Zambezi River. Some of the other stations are Chavuma, Nana’s Farm, and Ngonye.
On 16 January 2023, ZRA gave an update on the river flows along the Zambezi catchment. Flows at selected stations were as follows:
1. CHAVUMA
Zambezi River flows at Chavuma have been increasing steadily as the rainy season progresses, closing the period under review at 684m3/s on 13th January 2023. The flow recorded last year on the same date was 526m3/s.
2. NANA’S FARM
The Zambezi River flows at Nana’s Farm, located some 33km upstream of Victoria Falls (typically the same reach) are steadily increasing, closing the period under review at 579m3/s on 13th January 2023. The flow observed on the same date last year was 585m3/s.
3. NGONYE
Flows at Ngonye are rising due to localised rainfall activity, recording 672m3/s at the end of the review period on 13th January 2023. The flow recorded last year on the same date was 592m3/s.
4. VICTORIA FALLS
The Zambezi River flows at Victoria Falls are steadily increasing, as the rain season progresses, closing the period under review at 579m3/s on 13th January 2023. The flow observed on the same date last year was 585m3/s.