WARMA monitors water levels after drought
By Blessings Chibuye
The Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation, through the Water Resources Management Authority -WARMA-, is closely monitoring water levels across the country to track recovery from the recent drought.
One of the key water bodies under observation is the Zambezi River, which saw critically low levels, affecting hydropower generation, agriculture, and commercial water use.
Water Development Minister, COLLINS NZOVU says recent data from WARMA’s 17 Surface Water Monitoring Stations along the Zambezi River shows a gradual increase in water levels.
Mr. NZOVU told ZNBC News that as of January 31, 2025, upstream flows at the Chavuma Monitoring Station in North-Western Province have doubled in the last 30 days, while Nana’s Farm Monitoring Station in Livingstone, Southern Province, recorded an 86 percent rise.
He said however, despite the improvement, Lake Kariba’s usable water storage has only increased by 4 percent.
Mr. NZOVU also clarified that recent urban flooding in Lusaka is mainly due to poor drainage infrastructure and rapid urbanization, not rising water levels.
He said as a result, rainfall in Lusaka has no direct impact on the water levels at Kariba Dam, as the prolonged drought from the previous rainy season has also led to delayed runoff.
This is according to a statement issued to ZNBC News by Ministry of Water Development Principal Public Relations Officer PRINCE CHIYUNI.
