Northern Senegal is grappling with severe flooding, impacting five key cities as the Senegal River overflows its banks. The flooding has caused widespread disruption and forced evacuations, according to a statement from the Senegal River Basin Development Authority (OMVS), an intergovernmental organization that manages the river shared by Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, and Senegal. The cities of Kayes, Kidira, Bakel, Matam, and Podor have all been affected, highlighting the vulnerability of the region to climatic hazards.
The flooding began in the northern part of Senegal, where the river forms a natural border with Mauritania. The OMVS, which aims to reduce the economic vulnerability of its member states to climate-related events, reported that the river flows over recent days have reached levels comparable to the catastrophic floods of 1999. The organization emphasized the role of the Manantali Dam, which regulates floodwaters from the Faleme and Bakoye tributaries. However, the dam has now reached its maximum operating capacity, further complicating efforts to control the situation.
Evacuations have begun in some of the hardest-hit areas, including Kidira, a city located 650 kilometers east of the capital Dakar, where more than 11,000 residents are being forced to leave their homes. Local media reports suggest that the situation is worsening as rising waters continue to submerge homes, displace families, and damage essential infrastructure. Authorities are working to move people to safer locations as the floodwaters persist, but the scale of the disaster is stretching resources thin.
The floods have impacted millions of people across West and Central Africa, with Senegal being one of several countries facing this natural disaster. The OMVS noted that the scale of the flooding is unprecedented, causing extensive damage to agricultural lands and contributing to the already significant food insecurity in the region. Crops have been destroyed, exacerbating the economic toll on communities that rely heavily on farming for both sustenance and income.
In addition to Senegal, neighboring countries are also feeling the effects of the flooding. Across West and Central Africa, an estimated four million people have been affected by the severe weather conditions. Countries like Nigeria, Chad, Mali, Guinea, Niger, Cameroon, Ghana, and Liberia are experiencing similar crises, with hundreds of deaths reported and vast areas of farmland ruined. The flooding is not only displacing communities but also raising concerns about food shortages and long-term recovery efforts.
Leave a comment