Flooding in Senegal River Villages: A Growing Concern

Flooding caused by the rise in the level of the Senegal River continues to submerge villages on the banks of the river, leaving residents in a state of distress.

In the village of Bakmon, located in the municipality of Shamama, 50 families were forced to evacuate their homes due to the floodwaters. The entrances to the village are currently inaccessible, and residents are using traditional methods to navigate the area, including the use of empty tires and filled containers to pass between homes.

According to agricultural engineer Amiya Ajoujah, the situation in the municipality of Shamama is “almost catastrophic.” The flood is “ravaging most of its areas,” causing widespread destruction and displacement.

The village of Bakmoun is in dire need of urgent intervention by the authorities to reassure its residents, who have lost their homes and most of their farms to the floodwaters. The water continues to flow at the same speed, displacing many families in the village and leading to an increase in transport prices to the city of Rosso.

The flood has also had a devastating impact on the agricultural sector, with Bakmon farmers permanently losing their crops this year. The lack of agricultural insurance has exacerbated the situation, leaving farmers without a safety net.