Residents of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second-largest city, will face water cuts of 130 hours a week due to the decommissioning of city water reservoirs caused by low water levels.
The increase in water cuts to 130 hours from 120 hours, will start on Wednesday. This means that over 600,000 residents will receive water for less than two days per week.
“The City of Bulawayo decommissioned the Upper Ncema Dam on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, as its water level critically dropped to 2.08%, reaching a dead water state. This is the second dam the city has had to decommission,” said Sikhangele Zhou, the acting town clerk, in a statement on Tuesday.
“The current water situation has also necessitated that City increased the number of hours of water shedding from 120 hours to 130 hours with effect from Wednesday,” Zhou added.
As water levels in Bulawayo’s reservoirs continue to drop, the city’s deteriorating water infrastructure exacerbates the crisis.
Zimbabwe is also grappling with one of its worst droughts, induced by the El Niño weather phenomenon.