Rusape town faces a severe water shortage after the Rusape River ran dry, leaving thousands without access to clean water for several weeks. The river supplies 40 percent of the town's water through the Town Water Works Plant, while Rusape Dam provides the remainder.
Commercial farmers have drawn excessive amounts from the river to irrigate wheat, tobacco, maize, and other crops, leaving little for municipal use. Jonathan Mazani from Macheke Sub-Catchment Council attributes the depletion to insufficient rainfall and upstream withdrawals. Authorities opened all valves at Lawrencedale Dam to boost river flow and are urging farmers to reduce consumption.
Long lines at boreholes have become common as residents worry about cholera and dysentery outbreaks. Portipher Guta from Rusape Residents Trust calls for the council to abandon river abstraction and rely entirely on Rusape Dam, which holds sufficient water for the entire town. He emphasizes the need for enhanced pumping and storage systems at the dam to create a permanent solution.
Commercial farmers have drawn excessive amounts from the river to irrigate wheat, tobacco, maize, and other crops, leaving little for municipal use. Jonathan Mazani from Macheke Sub-Catchment Council attributes the depletion to insufficient rainfall and upstream withdrawals. Authorities opened all valves at Lawrencedale Dam to boost river flow and are urging farmers to reduce consumption.
Long lines at boreholes have become common as residents worry about cholera and dysentery outbreaks. Portipher Guta from Rusape Residents Trust calls for the council to abandon river abstraction and rely entirely on Rusape Dam, which holds sufficient water for the entire town. He emphasizes the need for enhanced pumping and storage systems at the dam to create a permanent solution.
