7 November, 2004
MASERU
The Lesotho Highlands Developments (LHDA) wishes to inform the public in general and especially those communities living downstream of Katse dam along the lengths of Malibamats’o and Senqu rivers, that with-in-year flood water will be released from Katse dam for two days on 9 November at 08:00 in the morning to 11 November at 08:00 in the morning.
The flood water is released in accordance with the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) Instream Flow Requirements (IFRs) to maintain the health of the rivers to sustain the livelihoods of the people and aquatic communities as well as riverine vegetation along the length and breadth of the rivers.
The volume of the water to be released is 9.0 million cubic metres (9,000litres) at the rate of 52 cubic metres per second (52,000l/second) in the two days.
Communities living downstream of Katse along the rivers in question are advised to exercise extreme caution in the use of the rivers during the period 11-15 November,2004, to avoid incidences of injuries to human lives, livestock as well as property.
The LHDA appreciates your understanding of the inconvenience caused by this important exercise.