Zimbabwe's major dams enough to last until next rainy season

Zimbabwe's major dam water levels are averaging 93.1%, significantly higher than the 88% recorded during the same period last year, with government assuring the nation that there is enough water to last until the next rainy season.

Presenting an update on national water availability during Tuesday's Cabinet briefing, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Minister Anxious Masuka said most urban centres currently have adequate raw water supplies.

"Regarding urban water security, most centres have sufficient raw water to last until the next run-off season, as the raw water supply dams are 70% to 98% full. As at 14 May 2026, the national dam levels were at 93.1%, compared to 88% at the same time in 2025," Masuka said.

He added that the available water reserves in the country's major dams would support irrigation on 243,888 hectares throughout the farming season.

Masuka said government has adopted the "The Dam is the Economy" model, which seeks to position water infrastructure as a catalyst for rural transformation, agricultural productivity and broader economic growth.

Cabinet was also informed that dam water supplies are being strengthened through the ongoing borehole drilling programme under the Presidential Rural Development Programme.

According to Masuka, government has drilled 5,258 boreholes and installed 4,837 solar-powered water schemes across Zimbabwe's eight rural provinces.

"The interventions have been extended to schools, with 79% of schools now having access to borehole water. Another critical milestone is in Research and Development initiatives, which have seen the development of innovations," he said.

Government is also rolling out major infrastructure projects, including the Siakobvu Water Project and the Save Alluvial Aquifer initiative, while prioritising multi-sectoral interventions aimed at controlling cholera outbreaks across the country.