What Lies Beneath: Exploring The Depths of Lake Kariba

Описание: The story of Lake Kariba and Operation Noah is
a blend of massive engineering ambition, environmental catastrophe, heroic wildlife rescue, and deep-seated local mythology. Built in the late 1950s on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe (then Northern and Southern Rhodesia), the Kariba Dam created the world's largest man-made lake, altering the landscape forever.
Here is the breakdown of the "secrets" and history behind it:
1. The "Secret" Beyond the Dam: Myth and Tragedy

The Wrath of Nyami Nyami: The local Tonga people believed the Zambezi River was home to Nyami Nyami, the River God. They believed the damming of the river separated Nyami Nyami from his wife, deeply offending him.
Engineering Disasters: During construction, severe floods and wall collapses occurred, which the Tonga attributed to the wrath of the river god trying to break the structure.
Human Cost: The project displaced thousands of Tonga people from their ancestral lands.
The "Underwater Forest": Before flooding, not all trees were cleared. Today, "ghostly skeletons" of drowned forests still rise from the water, serving as a reminder of the valley's past.

2. Operation Noah (1958–1964): The Rescue
As the dam began to fill in 1958, the rising waters trapped thousands of animals on shrinking islands, facing starvation and drowning.

The Mission: Wildlife officer Rupert Fothergill led a massive, dangerous rescue mission to save these stranded animals.
The Numbers: Over 6,000 to 7,000 animals were rescued, including elephants, rhinos, lions, antelopes, and snakes.
Methods: Teams used boats to reach islands, using nets, ropes, and tranquilizers to capture terrified animals, often grappling with them hand-to-hand.
Relocation: Most animals were moved to safety on the mainland, largely in the Matusadona National Park.

Key Facts Summary

Location: Zambezi River, between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Duration of Rescue: 1958–1963/64.
Leader: Rupert Fothergill.
Purpose: To save wildlife from the rising waters of the new lake.

Today, Lake Kariba is a major tourism hub and source of hydroelectric power, but it remains heavily associated with the dramatic events of its creation