“Remember the flood,” it whispers, this Flood of 1958 Monument. It stands as a stoic reminder of nature’s raw power. The Flood of 1958 Monument commemorates a year when the Zambezi River swelled to unprecedented levels.
Let’s journey back to that time, to 1958. Livingstone was a town on the edge, the edge of adventure and the edge of the wild Zambezi. The river, usually a life-giving force, transformed into a raging torrent. Relentless rains upstream caused the Zambezi to burst its banks. It swallowed everything in its path.
The Flood of 1958 Monument marks this historic event. The Zambezi River reached flows of 9,436 cubic meters per second. This was an astounding volume of water. To put it in perspective, in April 2019, the flow was only 1,007 cubic meters per second. In April 2020, it was recorded at 3,922 cubic meters per second. The flood was more than double that amount.
The Victoria Falls themselves were transformed. The Falls became a thundering curtain of water. The spray soared so high that it blotted out the sun. The noise was deafening, a constant roar that vibrated through the very ground.
Livingstone’s infrastructure buckled under the strain. The Livingstone – Victoria Falls Road was submerged. The river encroached upon it. The hydro-electric power station was partly submerged. The power station continued to operate. Men carried on with their normal duties. They were working below the surface of the river. Water swirled around the reinforced walls.
The flood affected Kariba Dam. The dam is on the Zambezi River. The flood was a reminder of the Zambezi’s power.
The Flood of 1958 Monument is a testament to both destruction and resilience. It serves as a reminder of the need to respect nature. It stands as a symbol of the enduring spirit of the people of Livingstone. They rebuilt their lives and their town. Next time you see the Victoria Falls, remember the Flood of 1958 Monument. Remember the power and the glory and the need for respect.