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Cracks in Insiza dam raise alarm among villagers
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Villagers from Singwambizi in Insiza District, under Chief Mafu, have expressed safety concerns regarding their local dam, which is spilling water due to a crack in the dam wall.
The community noted that while the water currently spills into a river at a safe distance from people's homesteads, it poses potential risks to livestock and schoolchildren who cross the river on their way to school.
Thabani Tshuma, Chairperson of the Community Development Committee, explained to CITE the critical role the dam plays in the community and the urgency required to address the issue.
"This dam is our sole source of water for the community. It serves the villagers, the school, the clinic, and our livestock. We are concerned that if the spillage is not addressed promptly, the dam could collapse," Tshuma said.
"Before the rainy season began, the dam had completely dried up for the first time since its construction in 1960. We appealed for assistance to rehabilitate the dam. However, this rainy season brought us favorable rains, and the dam filled up quickly. Unfortunately, there is now a crack at the bottom of the wall, causing water to spill. We are appealing for assistance to desilt the dam so that it can store enough water to sustain us in the long term."
Insiza South Ward 7 Councilor, Matilda Dube, echoed these concerns, stressing the urgent need for rehabilitation of the dam, which remains the community's most reliable water source.
"We are deeply worried that if the leaking section is not fixed, it could lead to more significant damage. Last November, plans were in place to desilt the dam, but heavy rains arrived, causing it to fill up rapidly," Cllr Dube said.
"Our biggest fear now is for the safety of schoolchildren and livestock, as the spilling water could wash them away. Schools are about to open, and children will need to cross that river on their way to school."
Cllr Dube also stated that they had engaged the Rural District Council (RDC), which assured them that engineers would be deployed after the rainy season subsides.
As a precautionary measure, villagers have been advised to ensure children avoid playing near the dam and to keep people away from the dam wall in case it collapses.
The community noted that while the water currently spills into a river at a safe distance from people's homesteads, it poses potential risks to livestock and schoolchildren who cross the river on their way to school.
Thabani Tshuma, Chairperson of the Community Development Committee, explained to CITE the critical role the dam plays in the community and the urgency required to address the issue.
"This dam is our sole source of water for the community. It serves the villagers, the school, the clinic, and our livestock. We are concerned that if the spillage is not addressed promptly, the dam could collapse," Tshuma said.
"Before the rainy season began, the dam had completely dried up for the first time since its construction in 1960. We appealed for assistance to rehabilitate the dam. However, this rainy season brought us favorable rains, and the dam filled up quickly. Unfortunately, there is now a crack at the bottom of the wall, causing water to spill. We are appealing for assistance to desilt the dam so that it can store enough water to sustain us in the long term."
Insiza South Ward 7 Councilor, Matilda Dube, echoed these concerns, stressing the urgent need for rehabilitation of the dam, which remains the community's most reliable water source.
"We are deeply worried that if the leaking section is not fixed, it could lead to more significant damage. Last November, plans were in place to desilt the dam, but heavy rains arrived, causing it to fill up rapidly," Cllr Dube said.
"Our biggest fear now is for the safety of schoolchildren and livestock, as the spilling water could wash them away. Schools are about to open, and children will need to cross that river on their way to school."
Cllr Dube also stated that they had engaged the Rural District Council (RDC), which assured them that engineers would be deployed after the rainy season subsides.
As a precautionary measure, villagers have been advised to ensure children avoid playing near the dam and to keep people away from the dam wall in case it collapses.
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