Victoria Falls in Zambia, October 1966. Photo: Priya Ramrakha/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images.
Victoria Falls records highest flows in a decade
Recent data shows four times more water is now flowing over Victoria Falls than at this time last year.
Victoria Falls in Zambia, October 1966. Photo: Priya Ramrakha/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images.
Zimbabwe’s biggest tourist attraction, Victoria Falls recently recorded its highest flows in a decade.
Zambezi River Authority public relations and communications manager Elizabeth Karonga said the high water levels were due to a significant increase in both rainfall and run-off in the catchment area upstream of Victoria Falls during the current rainfall season, reports Times Live.
The latest data showed that four times more water was now flowing over the world’s largest waterfall than at this time last year.
A wave of floodwaters
“The Zambezi River normally experiences two peaks or floods, which are more evident in the upper catchment area, upstream from Victoria Falls and, depending on their magnitude, their effects are translated downstream,” Karonga said further.
The first wave of floodwaters was recorded at Victoria Falls at the end of March, with a peak flow of 4 289 cubic metres per second. Water levels rose, even more, when the second flow reached the Victoria Falls on 14 April. The second flow was expected to peak by the end of April at more than 4 300 cubic metres per second.
Karonga said the last time it reached these highs was in 2010.
The highest flow ever recorded was in 1958 when it reached an incredible 9 436 cubic metres per second, she said.
“In coming weeks, the rise in flows at the Victoria Falls will continue until the rainfall upstream subsides, leading to a reduction in the Zambezi River flows, and subsequently reduced flows at the Victoria Falls.”
The falls are expected to peak at the end of May this year.
Ross Kennedy, chief executive of Zimbabwean hospitality group Africa Albida Tourism, said nature continued to show off her power and influence over our lives.
“At a time when the world is in trouble the Zambezi River and the Victoria Falls display immense beauty, rugged power and a glorious snub to the current negatives,” Kennedy said.
“It has been quite some time since anyone witnessed the majesty and intensity of this level of water flowing over the Victoria Falls, with the last period of such floods being ten years ago.
“What a sad and disappointing irony it is, that at this time that one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world is at its absolute finest, the world is in lockdown and very few if any will get to witness or experience this iconic destination in all its splendour,” he added.
“But, of course, nature being what it is, Victoria Falls will flood again and will be there to impress, enthrall and excite many millions of tourists in the decades ahead.”
No one allowed
The gorge is said to be one of the many heritage sites that are closed due to various national lockdowns put in place.
Zimbabwe is under total lockdown with strict travel restrictions. And, after videos of the roaring waters started circulating on social media, a senior official in President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government was quick to warn that no one was allowed into the world heritage site.
