Mozambique: One of largest dams in Africa faces water shortagage

(AGI) - Maputo, Jul 07 - The Cahora Bassa, one of the largest dams in the African continent, in central Mozambique, is to observe restrictions on the production of electricity as a result of the weak inflow of water to the Cahora Bassa reservoir, which is fed by the Zambezi River, mainly due to drought affecting the southern African region, the company said in a statement. According to the company, which is one of the largest suppliers of electricity to Southern Africa countries, namely, South Africa, Botswana, Malawi and Zimbabwe, in January 2016, the share of the reservoir was at 321.23 meters above the average sea level, but on June 30, the share dropped to 317.31 meters, forcing the reduction of the power of the dam?s generators. At present, the company is negotiating with its customers the adjustment of energy supply quota due to restrictions that could extend to December. Cahora Bassa is one of the three major dams on the Zambezi river system, the others being the Kariba and the Itezhi-Tezhi, the latter on the Kafue River, a tributary of the Zambezi, in west-central Zambia. It is the largest hydroelectric scheme in Southern Africa with a capacity to produce over 2000 megawatts.(AGI)) .