Water levels in Lake Kariba are more than a metre higher than at this time last year ﾖ the highest for some years, but the damﾒs floodgates remain closed for fear of downstream flooding.
 
At the end of April 2009, the lake level (recorded in metres above sea level) was 485.38m and is rising steadily.ﾠ However, it still has 3 metres to go before it reaches its full capacity (488.5m).
 
This yearﾒs inflows are as a result of heavy rains experienced over the past few months in the Zambeziﾒs Riverﾒs catchment area upstream in Angola, Zambia and Botswana.
 
Water is also pouring into the Zambezi downstream of Kariba via the Kafue and Luangwa rivers.ﾠ This has filled Lake Cabora Bassa, which has already opened its floodgates.ﾠ Authorities fear that if Kariba adds to the water load by opening its release gates at this stage, massive flooding may result in low-lying areas of Zambia and Mozambique.
 
Water levels in Lake Kariba are due to continue to rise for a month or so as rivers slowly disgorge the seasonﾒs rains from many kilometers upstream.