The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) has made a public notice that in an effort to release pressure on the Katse Dam, the dam shall be breached from Saturday into the late hours of Sunday.

This follows the recent rains in the past days that led to the filling up of rivers and most dams,

Speaking in an interview with the Agency on Friday, the LHDA Public Relations Manager, Mr. Masilo Phakoe said the releasing of water is expected to increase the pressure of water in the rivers below the dam hence urging the public to practice all precautionary measures around the river which include using bridges to cross the rivers.

Mr. Phakoe noted that this is the second time that the dam is breached this month, saying the same activity was done last week when the water levels at the dam were estimated at approximately 94.77 percent while currently, it stands at almost 98.54 percent.

He further mentioned that the releasing of the dam pressures is a process which is expected to be made from 09Hrs00 to 16hrs00.

He said the mostly expected river to be affected by this process is the Maliba-mats’o River, warning people to avoid taking unnecessary trips which may put their lives in danger.

The Katse Dam, is a concrete arch dam on the Maliba-mat’so River in Lesotho. It is considered as Africa’s second-largest double-curvature arch dam. The dam is part of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.

Source: LENA 18/11/2022