In a press release, the National Electricity Transmission Network-EP (Rnt) says that it is urgent to open the floodgates of the hydroelectric plants in Laúca, Malanje province, and Cambambe, Cuanza Norte province, "which will negatively impact the day-to-day lives of populations residing in lower kwanza".
The discharges arise due to the natural evolution of the Kwanza River's flow, explains the company.
To guard against the adverse effects resulting from the rise in the river's water level, the technical committee has already contacted the Civil Protection and Fire Services of Cuanza Norte and Malanje, as well as traditional authorities, to take the necessary preventive measures.
"The technical committee calls for maximum attention from the population, as well as the collaboration of the aforementioned institutions, with a view to the success of the indicated preventive measures", the statement also states.
Heavy rains force the opening of floodgates on the dams on the Kwanza and Dande rivers
Last week, the Public Electricity Distribution Company (Prodel) decided to open the dam gates due to the substantial increase in the volume of water in the Kwanza and Dande rivers, caused by heavy rains in recent times.
According to a press release from Prodel, the increase in water volume has caused problems for resident populations and plantations in riverside areas and downstream of the Mabubas dams, Bengo province, and Cambambe, Cuanza Norte province.
Prodel, in collaboration with the civil protection and fire departments and traditional authorities, to guarantee the safety of people and the dams, is opening the discharge gates, therefore, it requests the populations residing in the area and with mines close to the riverbanks, which comply with safety measures, reads the note.
The company calls for the recommended measures "to be followed immediately, as, according to Inamet [National Institute of Meteorology and Geophysics], in the coming months the rains could be more intense".
