Zimbabwe: Nationwide power outages reported December 10

Event

The Zimbabwean Zesa Holdings electricity company has implemented power load shedding across the country on Tuesday, December 10, due to a drought that has affected its hydrosupply, along with current issues to import power from South Africa. As of Thursday, December 5, the country is experiencing an average of 18-hour electricity cuts daily. On Wednesday, December 10, however, Zesa Holdings had to implement a 24-hour electricity cut. It remains unclear when normal operation will resume.

Associated transportation and business disruptions are likely in the coming days.

Context

The South African power utility company Eskom has been impacted by power cuts since Thursday, December 5, due to heavy rains resulting in wet coal, affecting generating units' performance. 

Advice

Individuals in Zimbabwe are advised to monitor the situation, keep battery-operated devices fully charged whenever possible, to be cautious when driving or crossing streets if traffic signals are not functioning.