| Abstract |
One of the major basins in southern Africa is the Zambezi River Basin, which includes the Kariba
Catchment. This basin is a crucial water resource system, supporting key sectors such as hydropower
generation, agriculture and domestic water supply. However, climate change and unsustainable
land use is increasingly impacting the basin by altering rainfall patterns and streamflow dynamics,
threatening the reliability and sustainability of these vital water resources. The observed reduction in
streamflow and shifts in rainfall patterns could result in decreased hydropower generation, undermine
irrigation systems, and threaten food security, while also limiting the availability of domestic water. The
close relationship between rainfall and water levels underscores the importance of a comprehensive
understanding and accurate monitoring of hydro-meteorological trends to guide informed policy
responses (Banze et. al., 2018). Without such knowledge, the management of the Zambezi basin may
be at risk, leaving the region vulnerable to scarcity, energy shortages, and agricultural challenges
(Winton, et.al., 2021). This could lead to severe socio-economic consequences, further exacerbating
the vulnerability of the basin’s communities. The study was conducted as part of the University of
Zambia (UNZA)- Southern Africa Science Center for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management
(SASSCAL) – Tipping Points Explained by Climate Change (TIPPECC) Project, which aimed to analyze
trends in streamflow data from 14 gauging stations within the Zambezi Catchment. The objective was
to assess the entire set of records, which varied in length, and identify potential changes from 1924 to
2022 and serve as the longest record analyzed in the basin. |
? |
