Zambia warns it may shut operation at its biggest dam by October

Zambia’s State-owned power utility warned it may cease generating electricity at the Kariba dam by October because the nation’s worst drought yet is depleting water levels at the world’s largest artificial reservoir. Zesco is “working frantically” to avoid a shutdown at the Kariba complex, MD Victor Mapani said Thursday. Hydropower makes up about 85% of Zambia’s generation capacity, and consumers already endure power cuts lasting more than 12 hours daily.