TITLE:
Floods and Humanitarian Disasters in the Senegal River Basin
AUTHORS:
Coura Kane
KEYWORDS:
Watershed, Natural Disaster, Humanitarian Challenge, Flooding, Vulnerability
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.14 No.6,
June
15,
2026
ABSTRACT: Floods in the Senegal River basin have become recurrent despite rainfall variability. The first major overflows after the construction of the Diama (1985) and Manantali (1988) dams were observed during the 1994-1995 high-water season, even though the flood was moderate. The estuarine area was not spared the fury of the waters, particularly the city of Saint-Louis, which at the time benefited from an emergency protection plan. The Senegal River valley is becoming increasingly accustomed to floods leading to population displacement and the submersion of hydro-agricultural development. During the 2023-2024 hydrological year, the Senegal River basin was severely affected, resulting in a major humanitarian crisis. However, early warning systems, including those of Agrhymet, the Senegal River Development Organization (OMVS), meteorological services National Civil Aviation and Meteorology Agency (ANACIM), and national hydrological services Water Resources Management and Planning Department (DGPRE), had provided early information on rainfall and annual flood evolution in the sub-region. Flooding in the Senegal River basin has had a significant impact on the environment. The article analyzes the flood of 2023-2024, which severely affected several communities. The Standardized Flow Index (SFI) and break detection method are used to analyze the hydrological situation. Statistical analysis of flood frequency based on return periods was determined by Hyfran Plus. The results show that the 2023-2024 hydrological year is not exceptional. Extreme events have return periods of ten years. Adaptation measures, such as strengthening flood protection infrastructure and water resource management, are needed to increase the resilience of populations and ecosystems.