Lake Victoria water volume hits record high

Experts say besides the rains, the water levels are also greatly impacted by the dams on the River Nile that draws its water from Victoria

Africa's largest freshwater lake has once again experienced an alarming rise in its water volumes, hitting a record high for the third time.

The first instance was recorded in 1964, then again in 2020, and now in 2024, with the current levels being the highest ever.

In 1964, the water volumes on Lake Victoria hit 13.53 metres, in 2020, 13.66 metres was recorded as the highest. Presently, the water volumes have exceeded the 2020 mark and are still rising, experts estimate.

The Authority is waiting for the water volumes to go down, such that the highest height attained is to be taken as the volume for this year.

According to George William Omony, manager of Weather Forecasting at the Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA), this increase in water volumes is predominantly due to heavy rainfall in the country, partly influenced by climate change.

The Authority has, since last year, predicted an increase in rainfall volumes, which have continued into this year. In late February, when releasing forecasts for March, April, and May, they indicated excessive rainfall with probable impacts including landslides and flooding.

The high water volumes affecting Lake Victoria are not an isolated phenomenon but are also impacting other lakes in the country and neighboring countries.

Uganda, specifically situated downstream of Lake Victoria, receives significant water inflows from Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda, contributing to the lake's rising levels.

This condition is further exacerbated by climate change, characterized by unpredictable El Niño rains and anthropogenic factors influencing the lake's behavior.

The high water volumes pose significant risks to human activities around the lake. Boating and other activities near the shores have become dangerous due to the increased water levels.

The outflow of water from Lake Victoria into the River Nile also contributes to flooding when the lake exceeds its holding capacity.

Despite having disaster response mechanisms, Uganda's preparedness for such events remains inadequate. The constitution provides for the establishment of a commission to prepare Ugandans for disasters, but this has not been effectively implemented.

According to UNMA, normal rainfall patterns are expected to resume in June, with some regions entering the dry season. However, the preceding months are anticipated to bring unpredictable torrential rains across the country.

The government continues to address these challenges, emphasizing the need for a sustainable approach to manage high water volumes and combat climate change.