Mozambique’s Locumue dam faces a critical water shortage, endangering access to drinking water for 7,000 residents in Lichinga, Niassa province, due to low rainfall. Current water levels are at 6.6 meters, well below the maximum capacity, prompting concerns from local authorities.
Recent reports indicate that a significant reduction in the water levels of the Locumue dam, which serves as the primary water supply for Lichinga, the provincial capital of Niassa, Mozambique, may jeopardize access to drinking water for approximately 7,000 residents. Authorities noted that as of October, at the onset of the rainy season, the dam was only 45% full. This alarming situation is attributed to insufficient and erratic rainfall in the region.
Santos David, the Director of the Northern Regional Water Administration (ARA-Norte) in Lichinga, expressed concerns regarding the dam’s low storage capacity. Guilhermina Opinca, a representative from Águas da Região Norte (AdRN), a private water supply entity, emphasized the critical status of the reservoir, noting that it currently measures just 6.6 meters, significantly below its maximum capacity of 11.8 meters. This situation makes Locumue the dam with the lowest storage levels in Mozambique, raising serious concerns about future water availability.
In summary, the declining water levels in the Locumue dam threaten the drinking water supply for approximately 7,000 individuals in Lichinga, Niassa province. The current situation is exacerbated by irregular rainfall, underscoring the urgent need for water management and conservation efforts to prevent a crisis. Stakeholders are urged to monitor the condition of the dam closely as the rainy season progresses.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
