The low flow period in the Ruaha River, upstream of the Mtera Reservoir, ends every year in no flow. First observation of zero flow is some kilometers upstream of the confluence with the Little Ruaha where both rivers drain in the reservoir.
The period between the first observation of zero flow at Mtera and the occurrence of zero flow at the Park HQ (Msembe Bridge) seems to become shorter.
As the period between Alert 1 (one month before zero flow) and the ultimate drying at the Ruaha Park HQ becomes shorter also the period to act against non-essential abstraction outside the rice irrigation season becomes shorter.
The Mbarali River has been drying due to its low flow abstraction at the NewNAFCO headworks. The diversion of the river at low flow is estimated at around 2 cumecs.