Praying for rain Drought drains African countries' vital hydropower
The Guardian|November 11, 2024
All is not well with Lake Kariba, the world's largest human-made lake. A punishing drought has drained the huge reservoir close to record lows, raising the prospect that the Kariba Dam, which powers the economies of Zambia and Zimbabwe, may have to shut down for the first time in its 65-year history.
Rachel Savage & Nyasha Chingono
Praying for rain Drought drains African countries' vital hydropower

Under the dry-season sun, the lake looks vast, serene. But, this year, a severe effect of El Niño caused the worst mid-rainy season dry spell in southern Africa in a century. That has led to authorities rationing the water allowed to flow through the dam and power cuts of up to 21 hours a day in Zambia, on the lake's northern side, and 17 hours in Zimbabwe to the south.

The load shedding is devastating livelihoods and hitting already weakened economies - Zambia's is still recovering from a drawn-out debt restructuring while Zimbabwe's is throttled by chronically high inflation. Average temperatures have risen in recent decades in both countries as climate breakdown takes hold.

"This is the worst it has been," said Cephas Museba, manager of the hydropower plant on Zambia's side of the lake, who has worked for the country's national power company, Zesco, since 2005.

He pointed out concrete beams that were usually under the surface. On the other side of the dam, below its 128-metre high concrete wall, were dark brown rocks rising from the Zambezi River, which forms the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. "Everything brown down there is supposed to be under water," Museba said. "All the year."

This story is from the November 11, 2024 edition of The Guardian.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the November 11, 2024 edition of The Guardian.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE GUARDIANView All
Parry: Premier League would be 'sterile' without EFL
The Guardian

Parry: Premier League would be 'sterile' without EFL

Rick Parry has accused the Premier League of undervaluing the football pyramid, arguing that without the \"variety and competition\" that come from relegation and promotion the game would become \"sterile\".

time-read
2 mins  |
November 13, 2024
Official review: Coote faces FA investigation as Webb breaks silence on video
The Guardian

Official review: Coote faces FA investigation as Webb breaks silence on video

The Football Association has launched its own investigation into the behaviour of the referee David Coote after remarks he made about Jürgen Klopp in a video that surfaced online this week.

time-read
1 min  |
November 13, 2024
Match-by-match: Coote's Liverpool games as an official
The Guardian

Match-by-match: Coote's Liverpool games as an official

Referee who has been caught on video in a foul-mouthed tirade against Jürgen Klopp officiated 21 Liverpool games. Andy Hunter takes a look at the decisions in each one

time-read
4 mins  |
November 13, 2024
Wretched, haunted but human: a referee shaped by modern football
The Guardian

Wretched, haunted but human: a referee shaped by modern football

Is it really a surprise that an official or someone similar should end up glassy-eyed and spitting toxins on a sofa?

time-read
5 mins  |
November 13, 2024
Hall's audition adds intrigue to England's Nations League finale
The Guardian

Hall's audition adds intrigue to England's Nations League finale

In-form Newcastle defender can show Thomas Tuchel he can be the solution to perennial problem on the left

time-read
3 mins  |
November 13, 2024
The Guardian

'It's about robust planning, proper financial control'

is about \"preventing the shocks\" that have disrupted the sport in recent years.

time-read
1 min  |
November 13, 2024
'People are going to see women's boxing at its very best'
The Guardian

'People are going to see women's boxing at its very best'

The super-lightweight world champion Katie Taylor says her rematch against Amanda Serrano in Texas, as the main support act to Tyson v Paul, will be something special

time-read
5 mins  |
November 13, 2024
Blindkilde Brown and Fujino help City avoid slip up
The Guardian

Blindkilde Brown and Fujino help City avoid slip up

Manchester City maintained their 100% start in the Women's Champions League group stage as second-half goals from youngsters Laura Blindkilde Brown and Aoba Fujino were enough to beat a determined Hammarby side.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 13, 2024
Players must cope with extra scrutiny, says Lewis
The Guardian

Players must cope with extra scrutiny, says Lewis

The England coach, Jon Lewis, said his players experienced a \"sharp learning curve\" about perception management in the fallout from their disastrous group-stage exit in last month's T20 World Cup.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 13, 2024
No input from Jones in England's plan to upset Springboks
The Guardian

No input from Jones in England's plan to upset Springboks

England will not be benefiting from the insider knowledge of their former Springbok assistant coach Felix Jones this weekend after it emerged that neither their players nor key staff members have been in contact with the Irishman, still supposedly employed remotely by the Rugby Football Union (RFU).

time-read
2 mins  |
November 13, 2024