Zimbabwe’s Major Dams Surge Past 80% as Rains Ease Water Stress

Harare, January 5, 2026 — Zimbabwe’s water situation has significantly improved, with the country’s major dams now averaging 82.7 percent capacity, buoyed by persistent rains received across most regions during the 2025/26 rainy season.

Latest figures from the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) show that several strategic reservoirs have reached full capacity. Tugwi-Mukosi, Zhovhe and Silalabuhwa Dams are at 100 percent, while Manyuchi has climbed to 99.5 percent. Lake Mutirikwi, a key source for irrigation and urban supply in Masvingo, is now 91.7 percent full.

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The improved inflows are expected to strengthen water availability for agriculture, domestic use and industry, particularly as the country moves deeper into the cropping season. Other dams posting strong levels include Arcadia (96.7 percent), Bubi-Lupane (94.9 percent), Masembura (93.7 percent) and Mtshabezi (90.2 percent).

In the capital, Harare’s main water sources have also recorded gains, with Lake Manyame at 78.2 percent and Lake Chivero at 61.2 percent, offering cautious relief to the city’s long-standing water supply challenges.

Despite the positive national picture, ZINWA’s update shows that some catchments remain under pressure. Mazowe Dam is critically low at 9.2 percent, while Mwenje (6.9 percent), Inyankuni (10.7 percent) and Harava (30.4 percent) continue to lag behind. Mzingwane Dam, which supplies parts of Matabeleland South, is at 28.9 percent, raising concerns over sustained supply in the region.

ZINWA said the uneven distribution of rainfall underscores the need for prudent water use and continued investment in water harvesting and storage infrastructure, even as national dam levels tr
end positively.