Lusaka,21st June 2022 – The Zambezi River Authority (the Authority) hereby updates the public regarding theKariba Dam Emergency Response Plan mock drill which took place today, 21st June 2022 from 1000hrs to 1230hrs.
The Authority’s emergency response mock drill was meant to assess warning mechanisms,communication,andcoordination as well as responsebythe communities downstreamof the Kariba Dam as well as Emergency Mitigation Agencies. Anon-failure, but potentially dangerous,conditionlike sudden changes in downstream flows due to the release of large amounts of water through the opening of sluice gatesat the Dam was simulated. Emphasis was placed on preparing to evacuate from the Zambezi River’s banks as most communities downstream partake in fishing and river bank cultivation activities. In the event ofsuch an emergency, these individuals are the ones most likely to be first affected.
During this exercise,the offices of the Siavonga and Chirundu District Commissioner in Zambia and their counterpart, the Kariba and Hurungwe District Development Coordinatorsin Zimbabwe played a critical role.In like manner,the local emergency response teams working under the Zambian Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit and the Zimbabwean Department of Civil Protection respectively participated in the drill soon after an alert was relayed to them. During any emergencies at district levels, these agencies coordinate the emergency response for the Governments of the respective countries. On the other hand, the Authority has an Emergency Response Plan (ERP)in place which should guide all stakeholders in the event of an emergency. This ERP will be tested once every two years or as necessary through mock drills.
The post-drill feedback and analysis will be incorporated in to our current Emergency Preparedness Plan as well as relevant operations and maintenance manuals to ensure enhanced communication and effective responses among the Authority, other Government agencies and downstream communities in both Zimbabwe and Zambia to save lives, assets and,the environment before or during any dam emergency occurrences.
About the Zambezi River Authority
The Zambezi River Authority is a Bi-National organization mandated to contribute to the economic, industrial, and social development of the Republics of Zambia and Zimbabwe by obtaining the greatest possible benefits from the natural advantages offered by the waters of the Zambezi River (between Zambia and Zimbabwe) through themost economical and effective means of providing water for generation of electricity and for other purposes which the Contracting States may decide upon.
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Issued by:
Selusiwe Y. Sibanda
Manager - Public Relations and Communications
Lusaka, Zambia I Cell: +(260) 779663323 I Email: pr@zambezira.org
www.zambezira.org