In Zambia, the electricity keeps going out. Why? Because of drought.

Most of Zambia’s electricity comes from the Kariba dam. Kariba is the largest man-made lake in the world by volume. (“By volume” refers to how much water it can hold.) It’s on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The water normally pushes the blades of hydroelectric turbines. That produces a supply of electricity. But the El Niño weather pattern and warm temperatures brought months of drought. The dry weather has shut the hydroelectric station down almost completely. Only one of the six turbines on Zambia’s side of the dam can operate. 

Many Zambians get only a few hours of electricity each day. Some areas don’t have power at all for days. 

Not all Zambians had electricity before the dam’s problems. But the millions who did have to adjust. Mothers find different ways to cook for their families. Children do homework by candlelight. Many small businesses struggle to operate. 

This year’s drought in southern Africa is the worst in decades. It parched crops and left millions hungry. Zambia has declared a national disaster and asked for aid.

The 420-foot-tall dam wall at Kariba is almost completely exposed. A dry, reddish-brown stain near the top marks where the water once reached.

The lake’s water level naturally rises and lowers. Usually, it should go up by almost 20 feet after the yearly rains. It rose less than one foot after the last rainy season. Officials hope this year’s rains will help. They should start in November. But officials think that it’ll still take three years for Kariba to get back to normal.

Ask God to provide Zambians with the resources they need. Ask Him to comfort them in these hard times.