Scathed Effects of Climate Change in the Lake Nyasa and Mbarali District

The water level in the Lake Nyasa is declining at an alarming rate due to rising evaporation. Now, it has dropped by approximately 0.8 m as revealed by evidence from POMONDA stone situated 1 kilometer from the Liuli shoreline in the Kyela District-Tanzania side. 

The Lake Nyasa supports livelihoods of heterogeneous  set of inhabitants dwelling along the Lake by fishing and fresh water for farming and domestic consumption. Recently, the Lake has been proclaimed to be rich in oil resources that has accelerated the bordering disputes between Malawi and Tanzania. And in the significant number of cases of the declining water level in the Lake Nyasa has eventually increased the livelihood uncertainty, conflicts and tenure insecurity.

Understanding of this declines is fundamental condition for strengthening commitments and restoring lost forested land due to agricultural expansion, timbering and charcoal and firewood for domestic energy use. 

 In Mbarali District, climate change is all about life or death. The picture above is one of the few evidences  which have been aggravated by unpredictable windy-rainfall which downpours the life stability of the poor  community and social service infrastructures.

Photo:  Credit to Mbeya Yetu.