Harare (New Ziana) – The country’s biggest inland dam, Tugwi-Mukosi started spilling on Sunday for the second time since its construction seven years ago, the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) has said.

This follows incessant heavy rains that have pounded the country since last December and are continuing.

In a flood warning, ZINWA said communities downstream of Tugwi-Mukosi Dam were placed on high alert.

“Tugwi Mukosi has just started spilling. The spills are expected to increase as the day progresses and communities downstream have been placed on high alert.

“ZINWA has also notified relevant arms of Government, including the Masvingo Civil Protection Unit of this development.
Communities downstream are advised to avoid crossing flooded rivers, to ensure that livestock is kept away from the rivers and to remove or secure any irrigation or water abstraction equipment that may be along river channels, ” said the authority in a statement.
The dam has a massive capacity of 1.8 billion cubic metres, and officials are unsure what damage it can cause if the dam spills.
In a message to villagers in areas surrounding Tugwi Mukosi Dam, Chiredzi District Development Coordinator Lovemore Chisema urged communities to be on high alert for flooding.
“I am therefore appealing to our beloved communities to avoid embarking on any activities along the rivers especially Tugwi and Runde.
“In case we have marooned people, kindly quickly get in touch with your immediate leaders or any of the civil protection committee members.
Lets all play our part to save life,” said Chisema.
In 2014, thousands of people around the dam were evacuated after fears it would spill and flood them.
Meanwhile, Zinwa said national dam levels continue on an upward trend owing to the intensifying rains across the country.
“As at 14/01/22 the national storage levels had risen to 82.6 percent way above the 63.7 percent normally expected during this period of the year,” said Zinwa.
New Ziana