Impoundment of Mohale Reservoir
PRESS RELEASE
Maseru 29 October 2002
The Lesotho Highlands Water Project Authorities have today issued instructions to commence impoundment of the Mohale Reservoir. This follows a review of all pre-impoundment conditions and agreement with the World Bank that these have been fulfilled.
The original impoundment date of October 2001 was deferred by a year to October 2002 due to delays with the excavation of Mohale Tunnel. The actual date was also dependent on the completion of the agreed resettlement programme.
The meeting of the Project Authorities with the World Bank Mission also considered proposals for a refinement of the draft policy on downstream flow releases also know as Instream Flow Releases (IFR). The policy, which will be implemented through an adaptive management system, provides for the needs of the environment whilst also preserving the economic benefits of the project.
The impoundment is being carried out at the start of the rainy season in order to capture as much as possible of the season’s rainfall.
The impoundment marks an important milestone in the implementation of Phase 1B of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. The Mohale Tunnel is expected to be ready for the transfer of water from Mohale Reservoir to Katse Reservoir in a year’s time, and that would complete Phase 1 of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.
END……………………29 OCTOBER, 2002
For more information please contact LHDA Public Relations Office at Tel. +266 22 313 830