Mbabane: 100 households along Sidvokodvo- Khuphuka area set to benefit from the Mbuluzi River Basin Climate Change project worth E3.6 million.
This project is a result of collaboration between the government and Water Aid UK and it started in January and is set to end in 2021.
The project will also identify and install real-time groundwater monitoring equipment in a bid to address the impacts of Climate Change in this transboundary river basin that is shared with the Republic of Mozambique.
It also seeks to develop a Mbuluzi Climate Change Adaptation Plan, with mitigation activities to monitor and build basin-wide resilience to climate change.
The project will install rainwater harvesting rooftop structures for the 100 households to enhance water availability along the aforementioned area.
Speaking during the sensitization event for stakeholders, Director of Water Affairs in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy Trevor Shongwe, said over the last 100 years, the Global Climate has warmed by 0.5 degrees Celsius with a projected reduction of 10-15 percent rainfall by 2050.
Shongwe said the reduction in rainfall will have a further negative impact on water resources which could attribute to a 20-40 percent reduction in national water resources.
“The Mbuluzi river basin has seen these adverse conditions occur with the recent drought of 2015/2016 hydrological year. The basin noticed a sharp decline in river levels as well as low levels of the Hawane and Mnjoli dams, which are the reservoir of the Mbuluzi,” said Shongwe.
Shongwe said as the Water sector, they aim to work to develop strategies and plans that will assist in the implementation of activities to mitigate the negative impact of climate change.
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