Chantelle Bongubukhosi Ncube
Bulawayo – Insiza Dam, a vital water source for Bulawayo City, is currently at an alarmingly low level, raising concerns about water security in Zimbabwe’s second-largest city.
The dam’s water levels have plummeted due to a combination of factors, primarily driven by the impacts of climate change, leaving the City’s residents and authorities grappling with the potential consequences.
Dwindling Water Levels
As of July 2024, Insiza Dam, which is one of the main reservoirs supplying water to Bulawayo, has recorded water levels below 20% of its capacity. This is a significant decline compared to previous years, where the dam maintained levels above 50% during the same period. The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) reports that the dam is currently holding less than 100 million cubic liters of water, a drastic drop from its full capacity of 173 million cubic liters.
Presenting his speech at the Youth Action Fund at City hall, his Worship the Mayor of Bulawayo Senator David Coltart mentioned that this morning he received a message from a person who had flown past the dam and said they were horrified by the levels at which the dam had dwindled.
This decline in water levels is not an isolated incident but part of a broader trend affecting dams across Matabeleland region. A study conducted by Ncube et al. (2023) on water resource management in Zimbabwe highlighted that several dams in the region, including Insiza, have been operating below 30% capacity for extended periods over the past decade.
Climate Change as a Driving Factor
Climate change has been identified as a key factor in the diminishing water levels of Insiza Dam. The Matabeleland region, including Bulawayo, has experienced increasingly erratic rainfall patterns, with prolonged dry spells and shorter, more intense rainy seasons. According to the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Climate Change and Water (2022), Southern Africa is expected to experience a significant reduction in rainfall, coupled with higher temperatures, leading to increased evaporation rates and reduced water inflows into dams.
Local meteorological data supports these projections, showing that Bulawayo received less than 400 mm of rainfall during the 2023/2024 rainy season, compared to the historical average of 600 mm. This decline in rainfall directly affects the recharge of dams like Insiza, exacerbating water shortages.
Impact on Bulawayo’s Residents
The dwindling water levels at Insiza Dam have profound implications for the citizens of Bulawayo, who rely on the dam for their daily water needs. The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has already implemented stringent water rationing measures, limiting water supply to residents to just a few hours per day. This has led to significant disruptions in daily life, affecting households, businesses, and public institutions.
Residents in high-density suburbs such as Mpopoma, Njube, and Luveve are particularly hard-hit, as they face longer periods without water compared to those in low-density areas. The water scarcity has also impacted the health sector, with hospitals and clinics struggling to maintain adequate hygiene standards, raising concerns about the potential for waterborne diseases.
In an interview, a local resident, Mrs. Ncube from Luveve, expressed her frustration, saying,
“We are facing a serious water crisis. Sometimes we go for days without water, and when it comes, it’s not enough to meet our basic needs. The situation is unbearable.”
The ongoing water crisis in Bulawayo underscores the urgent need for sustainable water management strategies and climate adaptation measures. Experts suggest that the City should invest in alternative water sources, such as groundwater extraction and the construction of additional reservoirs, to mitigate the impact of dwindling surface water resources.
Additionally, there is a pressing need for reforestation and the implementation of climate-resilient agricultural practices in the region to improve water retention and reduce the impact of climate change.
Moreover, the government and local authorities must prioritize the development of infrastructure to capture and store rainwater more efficiently.
This could include upgrading existing dams and building new ones in strategic locations to ensure a more reliable water supply for Bulawayo and surrounding areas.
In conclusion, the low water levels at Insiza Dam serve as a stark reminder of the far-reaching effects of climate change on water security in Zimbabwe. Without immediate and coordinated efforts to address this crisis, the residents of Bulawayo may face even more severe water shortages in the near future.
Zim GBC News