Hydrology in the Southeast: Orange alert maintained on the Gambia River due to fluctuating water levels

Monitoring of waterways remains essential in the east and southeast of the country. The latest bulletin from the Tambacounda/Kédougou Water Resources Brigade, published on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, maintains the orange alert level for the entire Gambia River basin. Readings show contrasting variations from one station to another, alternating between localized flooding and the beginnings of a receding water level, although no critical thresholds have yet been crossed.

At the Kédougou station, the water level settled at 6.35 meters, marking a drop of 19 centimeters in 24 hours. Although declining, this level remains 84 centimeters higher than that recorded at the same time in 2025 (5.51 meters) and is now 65 centimeters below the alert level set at 7 meters. The downward trend is also observed at Mako, where the water level fell by 28 centimeters to reach 5.22 meters (alert level of 6 meters), as well as at Diaguiri (5.21 meters, -36 cm) and Diarha Pont, which recorded a significant drop of 1.79 meters to 5.80 meters.

Water pressure downstream and a call for caution

Conversely, the flood wave is progressing significantly at stations further downstream and on some tributaries. At Simenti, the water level rose by 43 centimeters to 11.97 meters, coming within about one meter of the critical threshold (13 meters). At Gouloumbou, the river rose by 39 centimeters in a single day, reaching 9.04 meters (alert level of 12 meters). The Thiokoye station, for its part, recorded a slight increase of 12 centimeters to 6.53 meters, showing a remarkable year-on-year difference of +2.79 meters compared to September 2025.

Faced with these unpredictable fluctuations in the river system, technical services are urging riverside communities, gold miners, and all river users to exercise extreme vigilance. Continuous monitoring is being maintained on the ground to anticipate any flooding that could be detrimental to socio-economic activities and homes.