Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA) says all dam works must have a WARMA permit for both construction and modification in order to protect the environment and its inhabitants settled around the structure.
In a statement following the bursting of the Mbabala dam in Choma, Southern province which led to floods to nearby residents downstream resulting in the death of some people, WARMA Public Relations Officer Mubiana Nalwendo says WARMA is obligated by law to ensure the safety and professional structural integrity is maintained when constructing all dam structures countrywide.
Mr Nalwendo adds that it is the mandate of WARMA to permit all dam constructions and approve all newly constructed dam designs, and alterations made to already existing dam structures countrywide.
And Mr Nalwendo says more lives would have been lost in the Choma floods had it not been for the early warning sent out to nearby inhabitants in time.
He says WARMA applauds the owner of the dam for responding to the disaster in time.
Mr Nalwendo says that as the rainy season heightens in frequency and quantity, a lot of weaker dam structures might come under intense pressure if exposed to high flows exceeding their full supply levels, and eventually curve-in or break.
He says WARMA therefore reminds dam owners to constantly monitor their dam structures and report any suspicious structural compromise to the Authority for speedy mitigation measures.