Gambia River: High water levels in Kédougou, orange alert issued

The rising water levels continue at several monitoring stations in the Gambia River basin. In Kédougou, the river level rose by 63 centimeters in 24 hours, bringing the station closer to its alert level. Hydrological services are calling for increased vigilance.

The hydrological situation in the Gambia River basin remains under surveillance this Monday, August 31, 2026. Readings taken at 8 a.m. show a general upward trend in several measuring stations.

In Kédougou, the water level rose from 5.84 meters on August 30th to 6.47 meters on August 31st, an increase of 63 centimeters in 24 hours. With the alert level set at 7 meters, the current level is only 53 centimeters below the alert threshold. Compared to the same date in 2025, the level is also significantly higher, with an annual increase of 1.59 meters.

This development explains the orange alert level, which calls for particularly careful monitoring of the situation.

Significant increases in several stations

The water level has also risen significantly in Simenti, reaching 7.75 meters, compared to 6.62 meters the previous day. This represents a rise of 1.13 meters in 24 hours. Despite this substantial increase, the station remains 5.25 meters below its alert level of 13 meters.

In Diaguiri, the water level rose from 4.09 to 4.86 meters, an increase of 77 centimeters in one day. The station is 1.14 meters below its alert level, set at 6 meters.

At Mako, the water level reached 4.77 meters, compared to 4.45 meters the previous day, representing a rise of 32 centimeters. The station remains 1.23 meters below its alert level of 6 meters.

In Gouloumbou, the water level reached 6.07 meters, after rising 24 centimeters in 24 hours. The alert level is set at 12 meters.

Thiokoye: a spectacular rise over one year

The Thiokoye station, on the main waterway, also shows an increase, but to a lesser extent over the last 24 hours. The level has risen from 5.91 to 5.99 meters, an increase of 8 centimeters.

On the other hand, the comparison with August 31, 2025 reveals a particularly significant change: the level is 3.92 meters higher than that recorded on the same date last year.

Contrasting situations depending on the station

However, not all monitoring points have shown the same trend. At Diarha Pont, the water level dropped by 36 centimeters, from 5.22 to 4.86 meters. Despite this 24-hour decrease, the level remains 2.92 meters higher than that recorded a year earlier.

In Niokolokoba, the level has risen by 24 centimeters, reaching 2.87 meters, but remains 2.93 meters lower than that recorded at the same time in 2025.

The data from the Goumbayel station had not yet arrived at the time the bulletin was prepared.

Kédougou nearing the alert threshold

The main area of concern remains the Kédougou station, where the water level of 6.47 meters is rapidly approaching the alert threshold of 7 meters. The summary table in the bulletin confirms an upward trend at the main stations, notably Kédougou, Mako, Simenti, Gouloumbou, Diaguiri, and Thiokoye.

In this context of rising water levels, vigilance remains essential in riverside areas and around waterways, particularly in sectors where populations and infrastructure could be exposed to a possible worsening of the situation.