Water levels in Lake Tanganyika continue to rise

By Mwila Nsofu

Lake Tanganyika Authority –LTA- Conference of Ministers has urged Member States to urgently tackle the rising water levels in Lake Tanganyika, which have caused devastating socio-economic challenges.

The Member States are Democratic Republic of Congo -DRC, Tanzania, Burundi and Zambia.

LTA Chairperson, MIKE MPOSHA made the call to Member States that share Lake Tanganyika when he chaired the Third Extra-ordinary Meeting of the Lake Tanganyika Authority –LTA- Conference of Ministers in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

He observed that four countries sharing Lake Tanganyika are experiencing devastating impacts of the flooding occasioned by the rising water levels.

Mr. MPOSHA who is also Green Economy and Environment Minister said, according to hydrological records, the rise in the water levels in Lake Tanganyika this year was the highest recorded in 60 years.

The Minister called for continued collaboration, cooperation and implementation of regional and national programmes aimed at averting further damage to infrastructure and prevent loss of lives of people living on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.

And Mr. MPOSHA briefed the LTA Member States that Zambia is facing the devastating impact of drought affecting over six million people in 84 out of 116 districts.

He further informed them that President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA declared the current drought as a National Disaster and Emergency.

Mr. MPOSHA expressed Zambia’s gratitude to Burundi for its humanitarian support and Tanzania for allowing importation of maize to aid affected people.

This is according to a statement issued to ZNBC News by Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, Communications Unit.