By Sukuoluhle Ndlovu
Masvingo – As the country anticipates more rains, Lake Mutirikwi is 95% full and has to spill about 20% to areas downstream in order to maintain safe levels, an official said.
This was revealed by river inspector, Tungamirayi Chireshe at a recent media tour of Lake Mutirikwi organised by the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists.
The dam was last full at 100% in 2005.
Chireshe said, “We are now increasing the water we need to spill out by 20%, we need to fill down there as we are expecting more rains and that is why we need to drain more water from the dam. This is also safe for the structure as if more rains are experienced and continue hitting the wall, the walls of the dam are at risk. So downstream they need the water so there is need for us to spill the water there. We do not want to face any challenges that will affect the people and also the dam.”
He also added that siltation is a challenge and they have since engaged Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and sub catchment councils curb the problem.
“The community has to be advised against the dangers of stream bank cultivation and how it leads to siltation, which is why we are campaigning against stream bank cultivation especially in the urban areas.
“Resources are a challenge for now that is why we are facing the challenge of fighting against siltation as of yet.”
Chireshe added that water hyacinth is a threat to the dam as the moment it floods Mucheke River the belt stretches to the dam.
“We are trying all we can do to fight the plant as previously EMA was taking care of that and so far there is nothing on the ground being done to fight against it,” he said.
