An unprecedented disaster is taking place on the right bank of the River Senegal. From Aroundou to Yafera, via Golmy, Kounghani, Tuabou, Manael, Moudery, Diawara, Dembancané and Waoundé, the River, which has burst its banks, is sweeping away entire villages having destroyed all the crops. And during this time, the populations plunged into disarray by the waters are yet to see any administrative or governmental authority. The central authorities are being called upon at the highest level to provide assistance to the populations left to fend for themselves in this part of the national territory by declaring the region a disaster area before triggering the Orsec plan. For those affected, the Army, the firefighters, and the Food Security Commission must be mobilized to get them out of this tragedy. This is a national emergency.

Along the river, distress has gripped the populations. « Since 1955, there has not been such a flood of the river, » says the mayor of the commune of Balou. Cheikh Camara is horrified by this tragedy. All the localities of his commune are under water. « Even the town hall is not spared. » Of course, Balou, located in the department of Bakel, is not the only commune affected.

Social protection policy: Diomaye wants to reform the system

In all the localities overlooking the River Senegal, the tremors of chaos are causing homes to move after the loss of crops. And the populations are anesthetized by this situation while the receding of the river is far from being obvious. From Aroundou to Yafera, via Golmy, Kounghani, Tuabou, Manael, Moudery, Diawara, Dembancané and Waoundé, all these localities are hit by the flood. “At the Balou town hall, the water is up to our knees,” says the mayor, soaking wet. “I am really disoriented.” We see him wading in his boots, to come to the aid of his constituents. Like them, he is powerless.

Travel Bans: AIBD, Political Terminal

« All the crops are currently flooded, » he added. So many months of hard work lost by the producers. Houses are collapsing in the commune, leaving people homeless. Schools are submerged. It is desolation in this part of the country cut off from the rest of Senegal because of the impassable roads. The mayor lamented: “unfortunately, no authority is coming to our aid. For 3 days, we have been living in desolation. The water is rising from all sides and everywhere. Currently, I have been forced to move the civil registry services from the town hall to be able to save the archives. Otherwise, it will be a disaster afterwards. And so far, no support has reached us. Neither from the authorities at the local level nor from the central level. It’s astounding.” He has tried to establish contact with the State, but without follow-up. “However, a few weeks ago, I questioned the Prime Minister on the issue. I had even asked for an Orsec plan to be prepared, because the water was threatening to rise. Unfortunately, I was not listened to and now the irreparable has happened. The populations are disoriented and very tired. The water level has never reached this proportion complicating the situation. The authorities must react as quickly as possible. Today, it is urgent for the State to declare the region a disaster area, and an emergency organization and relief program must be launched immediately. Otherwise, the situation could get worse shortly. Because the populations are tired, » warned Cheikhna Camara, who is swimming in uncertainty.

« We are left to ourselves » 

Given the extent of the damage, his services are currently conducting a census of the people affected to better direct interventions. « Because the tragedy is not only happening in Balou, » he stated. « Several other localities are currently affected. This is why the census must be done correctly and very exhaustively. But, the mayor still fears, the water is still not going down after 3 days of flooding and the sky is not closing its floodgates either. There must be an urgent reaction from local and central authorities for urgent and prompt solutions, » he implored.  What can be done? « Urgently, we must mobilize the Army and the firefighters by equipping them with motor pumps to evacuate the waters. We must also think about providing the populations with tents to house the homeless, because many have seen their houses collapse. The other emergency remains food support for the disaster-stricken populations. They have lost everything in the waters. The situation is serious, » he maintained. Obviously, the populations are devastated by this unprecedented flood. And the threats to the food situation in these areas that are part of the red list where the situation in normal times is very uncertain.

Read the column – Public Finances: Beyond the figures

Reached by telephone, a farmer said: « The fields are just as affected. Today, all the crops are in the water. This will have a strong impact on the country’s food sovereignty. Many crops are flooded. »
He lamented, “Moreover, I can’t even go there due to lack of means of transport. Even moving around inside the villages is almost impossible, let alone wanting to go to the fields.” He condemned the lack of reaction from the authorities. “Despite the tragedy we are experiencing, no authority has deigned to bring us the slightest comfort. This is truly unacceptable. We are asking for help and support urgently,” he stated, describing the situation as unprecedented to which a rapid and effective response is required.  “I am saddened about the lack of response from the country’s authorities. How can we see localities completely flooded for more than 3 days and remain impassive? No presence of any authority, no support. This is not what we were promised. We are really tired. This is unacceptable,” he condemned.

In the Matam region, the situation is the same chaotic one, because the overflowing of the Senegal River has exceeded the alert levels. Several roads have become impassable, houses have been submerged and crops have been lost, as well as rice-growing areas have become unusable. “The water is on the outskirts of Oréfondé. This shows the seriousness of the situation. But there is no organization of relief. As if we were forgotten by the authorities,” lamented a resident of Gawol, reached by telephone.
By Abdoulaye FALL / afall@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH