on 27 March 2014. The COVID-19 pandemic caused construction to be delayed. Construction of diversion tunnels for the Polihali Dam did not start as planned in early 2020 The CEO of the LHWP implementing body of the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA), Refiloe Tlali, said: "the 2.3-billion cubic metre Polihali dam will be built downstream of the confluence of the Senqu and Khubelu rivers. The dam will have a 163.5 m high concrete-faced rockfill embankment dam wall. The crest length will be 915 m, with a full supply level of 2,075 m above sea level. A 49.5 m high saddle dam and spillway will also be built." Later phases As initially conceived, three further dams were proposed further downstream after the Malibamatso joins the Senqu river, at Mashai, Tsoelike, and Ntoahae. In 2007, further studies resulted in a modification, proposing instead a dam on the Senqu, upstream from its confluence with the Malibamatso. This is currently the preferred extension of the scheme, although construction has not yet begun (as of November 2021). See also Lesotho Highlands References External links Lesotho Highlands Development Authority Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority Lesotho Highlands Further Phases Feasibility Study Aicha Amouchi Ryan Anton Hoover van Ryij Dams in Lesotho Hydroelectricity in Lesotho Water in Lesotho Lesotho–South Africa relations Reservoirs in South Africa