Rising water levels in Malanville and Karimama : Red alert !

For a few days, populations living in certain localities of Benin have concerns to worry about. Indeed, the rising water levels in the West African sub-region are already causing material damage in these risk areas. Faced with this seasonal environmental situation, the Beninese Minister of the Interior and Public Security, Alassane Seidou sounds a red alert in the Malanville and Karimama regions.

Bad times for the residents of Malanville and Karimama, two cities located in the North-East of the country, by the Niger river, on the border with Niger within the Alibori department. And to prevent them from experiencing the great martyrdom, the Minister of the Interior and Public Security, Alassane Seidou in a press release signed on 12 September 2024 has already raised the alarm. “The heavy rainfall recorded recently in the sub-region and in Benin is gradually causing rising water levels in the Niger river basins., Ouémé and Mono causing flooding in certain municipalities. In the Niger basin, the alert is currently red in the Malanville and Karimama regions”, can we read.

Despite awareness-raising and disaster risk reduction measures taken both by the technical services of the Ministry of the Interior and Public Security and by the prefectural and municipal authorities, informs Alassane Seidou “some citizens continue to be reckless by adopting risky behavior”. To reverse this trend, it reminds the public of some good actions to adopt:

– respect the measures taken by the competent political-administrative authorities in particular, those relating to the evacuation of people and goods to host families rather than to reception sites;

– regularly monitor local radio broadcasts and apply the instructions given by the competent authorities;

– avoid crossing rivers and night-time river transport with overloaded boats in violation of river transport regulations;

– refrain from swimming in watercourses or defecating there;

– avoid using contaminated water as drinking water; do not live in ruined houses or in houses likely to collapse under the influence of water or those whose electrical wires are submerged;

– call the toll-free number if necessary 166, to receive help or report risky behavior.

Patrice ADJAHO