Lifeline for Kariba fishmongers battered by effects of drought

📅 Published: August 21, 2025

Curated by AllZimNews.com

This followed the severe depletion of water in the lake due to unprecedented drought in the region caused by the El Nino phenomenon whose effects include the obtaining below average rainfall and soaring temperatures.

Last month, The Standard, in conjunction with Information for Development Trust (IDT), exposed rampant corruption, robberies, gross violations of lake use regulations and numerous other vices, including prostitution taking place in the settlements around the lake as the fishing businesses teetered on the brink of collapse.

IDT is a non-profit organisation helping journalists produce investigative stories on corruption and bad governance.

The receding water levels on Lake Kariba have affected the fishing industry badly with lawlessness becoming commonplace and impacting negatively on livelihoods on the lake. “The authority will closely monitor the catch quality to ensure the sustainability of the Kapenta fishing industry. ” Mangwanya said.

Even after the first rains of the season which came late in December 2024, no significant inflows have been recorded in the vastly depleted giant water body.

The low water level has since forced the migration of some of the fishermen from their traditional fishing spaces to other areas where water levels are better.

While this development was widely embraced by fishermen, it has however resulted in a new wave of space disputes erupting among the various fishing cooperatives.

The drop in the water levels on the lake in the past two years is unprecedented, dropping to levels way below average.

Kariba is designed to operate between depth levels of 475. 50m and 488. 50m for optimum hydropower generation.

The water levels have been steadily decreasing due to low inflows being recorded on major tributaries that discharge direct into the reservoir and the mainstream Zambezi River. 🔗

” style=”color: #007bff;”>admin@allzimnews. com.

Get the complete story and stay updated with the latest Zimbabwe news