The Ministry of Water and Sanitation says major rivers in the northern part of the country and lakeshore areas are expected to continue experiencing high water levels from today to next week March 14, 2024.

According to a statement issued by Director of Water Resources James Chitete, the increase in water levels and the possibility of flooding will be due to heavy rains and thunderstorms that are being experienced in the northern and lakeshore areas.

Reads the statement: “The Department of Water Resources in the Ministry of Water and Sanitation would like to notify the general public that most major rivers in the northern part of the country and Lakeshore areas are expected to continue experiencing high water levels for the period March 7 – 14, 2024 which may result in flooding.”

According to the Department forecasting model, the following rivers are expected to have high water levels in the next seven days: North Rukuru, South Rukuru, Hara, Nyungwe, Wovwe, Songwe, Kyungu, Lufilya, Limphasa, Nkhula, Lipimbi, Dwambazi, Dwangwa, Bua, Luweya, Linthipe, Chirua, Lingadzi, Kaombe, Lifidzi, and Nadzipuru.

Chitete has since advised people in the affected areas to refrain from settling in and crossing the flooded rivers.

“The Department is, therefore, advising the general public to refrain from settling in and crossing the flooded rivers and streams and to be alert when visiting these areas.

“The communities along some of the mentioned rivers are also advised to utilise the Community Based Flood Early Warning Systems (CBFEWS) installed to prevent loss of life caused by floods,” Chitete said.

He has since advised people in the country to pay attention to the continuously available updates on water levels or floods from the Department to be safe from any flood-related threats.