Harare — Zimbabwe's major dams remain critically below 50 percent of their capacities amid fears that the water levels would not be enough for winter wheat and other irrigation activities.

According to the Zimbabwe National Water Authority, 35 of the country's 155 dams are almost full.

However, most of the dams that are filled to capacity are small.

Mazowe Dam, an irrigation hub for Mashonaland Central is 44 percent full, while City of Harare's water sources Harava and Seke are at 59 percent and 39,1 percent respectively. Mazowe Dam has a net capacity of 39 357 cubic metres but currently holds 18 651 cubic metres of water.

Ingwesi Dam in Matabeleland South has 35 283 cubic metres of water, which is 52 percent of its 67 000 cubic metres capacity.

Manyuchi Dam in the Mzingwane catchment area is 76 percent full; Bangala in the Runde catchment is 30 percent full, Mutirikwi Dam is sitting at 67 percent, Muzhwi 34 percent and Tokwane Dam is at 42 percent.

Government has set a target of 50 000 hectares under wheat production this forthcoming winter season.

The winter wheat activities are, however, under threat as indications are that there will be limited water for irrigation.

In an interview yesterday, Zinwa spokesperson Mr Tsungirirai Shoriwa, expressed concern that the levels will be critical if the rains stopped.

He said Zimbabwe needed more rainfall since only small dams received significant inflows. He said the small dams were on average 70 percent full while some have started spilling.

"Most of the dams used for developmental programmes in the country still need a lot of water. Recent water level surveys around the country indicate that 19 major dams in the country including Mazowe (Mashonaland Central), Biri (Mashonaland West), Seke and Chivero (both Harare) still had low volumes."