Zimbabwe Faces Severe Water Shortages Amid El Niño-Induced Drought
Zimbabwe is grappling with severe water shortages as the country endures the impacts of an El Niño-induced drought, according to the United States Agency for International Development’s Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FewsNet).
The drought has significantly diminished rainfall, exacerbating the existing water scarcity issues.
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A recent report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) highlights the gravity of the situation, revealing that 860,757 Zimbabweans lack access to safe drinking water. Additionally, 17% of households are forced to travel long distances to collect water for daily use. The ongoing dry season has intensified the water crisis, affecting both low and high rainfall areas, including the north and eastern border regions.
Unicef notes that the reliance on boreholes for water is leading to their overuse and breakdowns, as demand exceeds supply. This situation not only impacts water availability but also restricts people’s ability to engage in other essential activities, such as accessing food and income.
FewsNet suggests that water access might improve with the anticipated average start of the 2024/25 rainy season and the expected emergence of La Niña conditions between August and October.
In response to the crisis, the Zimbabwean government has sought to reassure the public. Acting National Assembly leader and Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Amon Murwira stated that while there are sufficient water reserves, particularly in urban areas, the primary challenge lies in the delivery of water to households. He emphasized that the government’s focus is on upgrading the water conveyancing system to ensure a reliable supply despite the current drought conditions.
