TUGWI-MUKOSI, ZIMBABWE’S LARGEST DAM, is 89 percent full, and nearly spilling for the time since its construction.

TUGWI-MUKOSI, ZIMBABWE’S LARGEST DAM, is 89 percent full, and nearly spilling for the time since its construction.Tugwi-Mukosi, Zimbabwe’s largest dam, was yesterday afternoon 89 percent full, raising prospects that it will spill in the next couple of days.If the dam spills, there are fears that the already flooded Tugwi River, downstream of the reservoir, will burst its banks and affect adjacent communities in Chivi and Chiredzi.The 1,8 billion cubic metres reservoir has been getting substantial inflows in the wake of incessant rains in the catchment area. Muzhwi Dam, upstream in Chivi North, has also been releasing significant inflows into Tugwi-Mukosi downstream, after it started spilling over a month ago.Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira said the province has started preparing for the worst as Tugwi-Mukosi Dam could spill.He paid tribute to Government for putting a helicopter on standby to assist families who will likely be affected by flooding in the dam’s downstream areas.“Tugwi-Mukosi water levels have been rising significantly over the past few weeks and the water level is now near 90 percent meaning the dam will likely spill in the coming few days hence the need to prepare our people in downstream areas in the event of flooding,” said Minister Chadzamira. Families downstream to Tugwi-Mukosi face the threat of flooding. , in the event the dam eventually spilling as is most likely to happen soon close to Tugwi and Runde River .Tugwi River, downstream of Tugwi-Mukosi, is a tributary of Runde River and the two rivers are amongst the biggest in Masvingo province in terms of reach and magnitude of flow. Chilonga Secondary School in Chikombedzi and Chingwizi Camp in Mwenezi have been designated as temporary shelters for families displaced by floods herald