“Every drop of water” counts in drought stricken Gaza as Massingir dam halts distribution

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

“Every drop of water” counts in drought stricken Gaza as Massingir dam halts distribution

8:39 CAT | 30 Mar 2016

Debate (File photo)

Water shortages in the drought-stricken southern Mozambican province of Gaza have become critical, and the southern regional water board (ARA-Sul) has been forced to halt discharges from the Massingir dam.

The dam, built in the early 1970s, is on the Elephants river, the largest tributary of the Limpopo. It was built to ensure a reliable supply of water for irrigated agriculture along the Limpopo Valley. The largest irrigation scheme in the country is at Chokwe, in the heart of the valley. In theory, 27,000 hectares can be irrigated at Chokwe.

“Right now we have no alternative. Although we are aware of the consequences, as from 24 March we had to halt distribution of water from the Massingir dam”, said Helio Banze, general manager of ARA-Sul, cited in Tuesday’s issue of the independent daily “O Pais”.

The management of the dam “has reached its limits”, said Banze. The situation is dramatic, both for agriculture and for drinking water.

Every drop of water

ARA-Sul is calling for the rational use of water, and has urged citizens to understand that this is a scarce resource.

“We want to urge all of society to use water rationally and not to waste it”, said Banze. “People should avoid using running water for activities such as washing their cars, or watering their gardens”.

“There’s very little water available”, he stressed. By economizing, “citizens will be ensuring that the water available lasts longer”.

Banze said his warning was not just for Gaza, but also for Maputo. The two main dams in Maputo province, at Corumana on the Sabie river, and at Pequeno Libombos on the Umbeluzi, are also running out of water. Every drop of water must be used rationally, he stressed.

Source: AIM