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Article: Africa's great lakes are drying up: Africa has more than 30,000 cubic kilometres of water in its 677 lakes, more than anywhere else in the world. Vast numbers of people depend for their livelihoods on African lakes but there has been an alarming drop in the water levels of some of the most famous such as Lake Victoria. Neil Ford examines the causes of this new water crisis.(electric supply management)
- Article from:
- African Business
- Article date:
- May 1, 2006
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 IC Publications Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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As African Business reported last month, water levels on Lake Victoria have fallen alarmingly, resulting in both lower electricity production and power rationing in Uganda. Explanations for the fall have largely focused on the use of water by the power sector but while this may play a role, there is a great deal of evidence pointing towards a long-term problem.
Water levels are falling on many lakes across the region and apart from the obvious devastating environmental impact, East African economies could also be affected by electricity shortages and unusable port facilities.
An environmental NGO, the International Rivers Network, claimed in February ...