Kariba Lake Level Continues to Drop

The Zambezi River Authority says water levels in Lake Kariba are continuing to drop gradually, as expected during this time of the year.

As of September 21, 2026, the lake level stood at 481.15 metres, compared to 477.87 metres during the same period last year.

The amount of water available for power generation is currently at 40.44 percent, representing 26.21 billion cubic metres.

This is higher than the 16.49 percent recorded in 2025, when the available water stood at 10.68 billion cubic metres.

The Zambezi River Authority says Lake Kariba is designed to operate between 475.50 and 488.50 metres for hydropower generation.