Zimbabwe says it will soon introduce strict water conservation measures as the El Nino weather phenomenon is causing havoc in the country.
Environment Minister Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri told journalists in Harare on Monday this move has been necessitated by low water levels in national dams.
Muchinguri Kashiri said most local dams are less than 50 percent full, a situation which is raising alarm as they are usually full at this time of the year.
She said, “Our current dam levels are lower than expected when compared to the same period last year and most of these dams do not have water to last us until the next season. This paints a very bleak situation as some towns and cities will have to resort to strict water management strategies.
“As I speak some of the dams in Zimbabwe are drying up. For example in Manicaland, Osborne Dam used for irrigation stands at 33% full, Chesa Mazowe Dams in Mashonaland Central used for water supply and irrigation are 33% full …”
She said this would force Zimbabwe to come up with strict water utilization measures meant to conserve the precious liquid.
Rains have been scarce in the country due to the El Nino weather system, which is affecting millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.
Meanwhile, some villagers in Manicaland province are now selling cattle for as low as $10 a beast due to the current dry spell that has killed thousands of livestock in Zimbabwe’s drought-prone regions