The Organization for the Development of the Senegal River (OMVS) has activated Orange vigilance in the face of an exceptional hydrological situation on the Senegal River. Due to intense rains in the Upper Basin, flows similar to those observed during the historic flood of 1999 were recorded, raising fears of flooding in several riverside regions.
The Manantali dam, located in the Haut-Bassin region and crucial for flood regulation, has reached a critical level. On October 3, 2024, the dam had already reached its normal management level of 208.05 meters, but heavy rainfall pushed this level to 208.28 meters on October 13. To manage these volumes of water, the authorities are releasing flows fluctuating around 2000 m³/s, in addition to significant flows coming from the Bakoye (850 m³/s) and Falémé (1500 m³/s) tributaries.
Current flows are causing river water levels to rise rapidly, exceeding alert levels at all stations in the Senegal valley and delta. Areas usually subject to flooding risk experiencing significant flooding, particularly in outlying towns. These areas are all the more vulnerable as the situation is reminiscent of that of 1999, when massive floods affected numerous localities and infrastructures.
In response to this critical situation, the OMVS activated orange vigilance in all areas located along the river, particularly in Guinea, Mali, Mauritania and Senegal. The organization also triggered its alert plan, designed to anticipate and manage such crisis situations. This plan includes maps detailing flood zones for different flood scenarios, as well as warning thresholds specific to each region.
Local and national authorities, as well as flood control committees and the media, are mobilized to inform and protect local populations. Preventive actions such as the evacuation of certain areas and the securing of property and people are underway.
This rising water level takes place in a context of climate change, where extreme weather events are becoming more and more frequent. The OMVS, aware of these challenges, has integrated the impacts of climate change into its flood management plan. The organization calls for increased vigilance and rigorous preparation to limit material and human damage.
The populations of towns and villages located in the river valley and delta are called upon to follow the instructions of the authorities and to remain attentive to future announcements. The alert plan, available for each OMVS member country, allows everyone to consult the maps of risk areas and the preventive measures to take.
With the current hydrological situation, the Senegal River poses a threat to thousands of people, and coordinating efforts across the region will be crucial to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe.
