The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) has reached another construction milestone at the Polihali Dam, with rockfill placement and the upstream concrete curb attaining elevation 2020 as work continues on Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP).
According to the LHDA, construction is progressing steadily towards planned reservoir inundation in 2027, with several major components of the project advancing simultaneously.
To date, 9.1 million m³ of rock have been placed at an average rate of 26,000m³ per workday. Rockfill construction is approximately 65% complete, while overall dam construction has reached 45% completion.
Work is continuing across a number of key infrastructure elements, including construction of the main dam starter slab, completion of internal and external plinth concrete works, and development of the saddle dam, intake tower, bottom outlet tunnel and spillway.
The project has also maintained a strong health and safety record, with zero fatalities reported and a high number of lost-time injury-free working hours achieved during construction.
Once completed, the Polihali Dam will create a reservoir with a storage capacity of 2,325 million m³. The dam forms a central component of Phase II of the LHWP, which is designed to increase water transfer capacity and support long-term water security and economic development in the region.
