The local flooding of the Niger River which began in Guinea and Mali since June and July in the upper Niger basin and in the middle Niger since mid-July in Niamey continues. It manifests itself in significant and rapid variations in the water level in the Niger River and its tributaries. These variations have been more significant since the beginning of August. The NBA Executive Secretariat, depending on the availability of hydrological data, analyzes the situation and develops flow forecasts at different points of the Niger River and its tributaries.

In Niger in Niamey on the Niger River: Orange alert
The yellow alert level (530 cm) was reached in Niamey on August 10, 2024, where a recorded water level was 558 cm at 5 p.m. A rapid rise in the water level was noted on August 7, 2024, with a variation of more than one meter in 72 hours.
Forecasts and observations show that the orange alert threshold level (580 cm) is reached today, August 18th, 2024 where a water level of 597 cm was recorded and this will be during the 6-day forecast horizon.

In the middle Niger in Niamey, the orange alert threshold is reached this Sunday August 18th, 2024 while further upstream the situation is normal at the Koulikoro station, orange at the entrance to the DIN at Nantaka station and yellow at the exit of the DIN at Diré hydrometric station in Mali. This situation is explained by the role of the Inner Niger Delta (DIN) located in Mali which acts as a buffer for water coming from the upstream basin (Guinea, Ivory Coast and Mali). The DIN cushions floods from the upstream basin.
The situation in Niamey at the moment is more linked to the contributions of the right bank tributaries (Gorouol, Dargol, Sirba) and the significant local precipitation observed. The months of August and September 2024 will be marked by significant and rapid variations in the water level in the Niger River and its tributaries if the rainfall observed since the beginning of August continues.
The availability of hydrological data, collected by national technical teams, in a timely manner is necessary for the development of forecasts in order to guide decision-making.
Priority during this period must be given to the greatest vigilance in observation and communication. Necessary measures must be taken by dam managers, irrigators along the Niger River and the local riparian communities concerned.

Download flow forecasts in the Niger basin