National Water Resource Authority (NWRA) has predicted an increase in water levels in Lake Malawi by December this year cautioning the public, especially those living along the shores of Lake Malawi and the Shire River, to be on high alert.
In its update on the current state of water levels in Lake Malawi, published on August 31, 2024, NWRA stated that the prediction from the Kamuzu Barrage Operational Model shows that the lake level will be at 475.22 metres above sea level (masl) by December, slightly higher than the water levels registered last year during the same period, which was at 475 masl.
“This entails that the lake level by December 2024 will be 22 centimetres higher than the previous year,” said the NWRA in a statement.
The Authority attributed the situation to increased rains in the Northern Region of Malawi as well as on the Tanzanian side which are the main catchment areas of Lake Malawi.
NWRA has also predicted that water levels are likely to increase even higher in the 2024/2025 hydrological year due to La Niña climatic occurrence that the country is expected to experience.
The Authority has, therefore, advised the public living along the lake shore and the Shire River to be prepared for the increased water levels.
The statement further noted that it is against the law to carry out any activities, such as construction or cultivation and sand mining, below the 477 masl contour line along Lake Malawi.
“Any would-be developer in such areas should consult the NWRA for technical guidance on the matter,” reads part of the statement.
The Water Resources Act (2013) empowers the NWRA to regulate, manage, conserve, use, develop and control water resources in Malawi.
It is empowered to gather and maintain information on water resources and from time to time, forecasts, projections and information on water resources.
