The UN said the dry spell has from mid-January this year affected most of the central and southern half of the country.
These parts have received less than normal rainfall leaving a million hectares of maize
destroyed – almost half of the country’s maize cultivation.
The UN has also projected that the drought will lead to a power deficit of 430MW and affect ground and surface water levels, “with severe consequences for sectors beyond agriculture since +80% of Zambia electricity generation comes from hydropower.”
As of 31 July, the national peak demand for electricity in Zambia stood at 2,400MW. Available power generation was at 1,040MW, leaving a deficit of 1,360MW, according to the country’s Energy Ministry.
Recently, Zambia announced it was acquiring more electricity from South Africa and
Zimbabwe.
In a bid to reduce the up to 12-hours a day loadshedding, the government is also setting up generators at institutions like schools and hospitals and encouraging solar panel installations at homes.
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