THE TRUTH
-- SUMMARY:
There is a very strong
climate variability
from year to year.
"The Zambezi River Basin
has one of the most variable
climates of any major river
basin in the world,
with an extreme range
of conditions across
the catchment and
through time."
The early 20th century
was unusually dry.
1940-1980 had high
waterfalls flow rates.
There is a correlation
with a 60 year long
Pacific Ocean cycle,
called the PDO.
Whenever the
PDO is positive,
the flow at the
Victoria Falls
decreases.
The PDO
is positive
right now:
THE FAKE CLAIMS:
From German Spiegel Online
on 7 December 2019:
Concerning Victoria Falls
in Zimbabwe and Zambia:
“It’s the longest dry period
that we have ever had.”
The Victoria Falls
are considered
to be the
widest waterfall
in the world.
But instead of the usual
quantities that plunge
into its depths,
there is a drought
– tourists have also
gone absent.
The mood there is gloomy.”
The Guardian wrote:
"Data from the Zambezi River
Authority shows water flow
at its lowest since 1995,
and well under the
long-term average.
Zambian president,
Edgar Lungu,
has called it
a stark reminder
of what climate change
is doing to
our environment’.”
Spiegel calls it the
worst drought "EVER".
The Guardian calls it
the worst drought
since 1995, which is
very different !
THE TRUTH
-- DETAILS
Now for some facts, from a
report by Richard Beilfuss
from 2012:
" A Risky Climate for
Southern African Hydro:
assessing hydrological risks
and consequences for
Zambezi River Basin Dams “
The report checks whether
dams along the Zambezi River
are always supplied with
sufficient water.
Water shortages cause
hydro power turbines
to quickly stop and the
production of electricity fails.
From his summary:
" The Zambezi River Basin has one of the most variable climates of any major river basin in the world, with an extreme range of conditions across the catchment and through time.
Average annual rainfall varies from more than 1,600 mm per year in some far northern highland areas to less than 550 mm per year in the water-stressed southern portion of the basin.
Runoff is highly variable across the basin, and from year to year.
The entire Zambezi River Basin is highly susceptible to extreme droughts (often multi-year droughts) and floods that occur nearly every decade.
Droughts have considerable impact on river flows and hydropower production in the basin.
For example, during the severe 1991/92 drought, reduced hydropower generation resulted in an estimated US$102 million reduction in GDP, $36 million reduction in export earnings, and the loss of 3,000 jobs.”
Later in the report,
there is a water flow
rate-volume at the
Victoria Falls
from 1907 to 2006: