Overflowing rivers in Mali have caused widespread damage in Mopti Region, where the local government said one village had been completely submerged.

Flood damage in areas of Djenné, Mopti Region, Mali, late September 2022. Photo: Gouvernorat Région de Mopti

The government of Mopti Region said the village of Syn, located about 15 km from Djenné, was completely submerged by river waters following the rise of the water level of the Bani river on 23 September 2022. The village of Souala was also severely affected.

Around 550 homes have been damaged or destroyed, leaving hundreds of families displaced. Videos shared on Social Media showed dozens of displaced families camping by roadsides. The government of Mopti Region said as many as 3,000 people have been affected or displaced by the floods. Regional authorities have started to deliver relief supplies to the affected communities, including dignity kits and shelters.

From around 23 September the Bani River exceeded danger levels (6.5 to 6.7 metres) at the Sofara measuring station, reaching 6.72 metres, and also at the Mopti measuring station reaching 6.60 meters where danger is 6.5 metres.

In early September the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said 1,000 people had been pre-emptively moved from their homes in Sofara in Djenné district in Mopti as part of Red Cross Early Action.

The country experienced heavy rainfall in August. Local media reported 100 people were left homeless after rain caused houses to collapse in Bourem commune in the Gao Region of northeastern Mali.

Heavy rain caused flooding in areas of Dialakorobougou, near Bamako, capital of Mali, on 10 September 2022. Local media reported 19 households consisting of 87 people were affected. Emergency services rescued 9 people.