Around 8 000 families affected, 2 000 displaced by flooding in Burundi
Flooding from the rising Lake Tanganyika in Burundi has affected around 8 000 families and displaced 2 000 as of Sunday, April 25, 2021. The water levels at the lake have been rising since February, with heavy rainfall since early April aggravating the situation.
On April 19, the level stood at 776.5 m (2 547 feet), surpassing the average level of 772.7 m (2 535 feet). If the level exceeds 777 m (2 549 feet), areas around Bujumbura port will be inundated, media warned.
Around 8 000 families have been affected, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) reported on Sunday, with 2 000 others displaced in lakeside communities, including Bugarama, Kanyenkoko, Muhuta, Nyanza-Lac, Gatumba, Rukaramu, Kibenga, Gisyo, and Kabondo.
Tharcisse Ndayizeye, an environment expert, pointed out that the flooding is linked to the geographic location of the lake and the city of Bujumbura.
He also raised the issue that significant amounts of waste in the city go to the lake.
"In short, if the bottom of the basin is full of waste, bags, sand… the water in the lake will inevitably rise, conquer other spaces."
La montée des eaux du lac #Tanganyika a fait que plusieurs maisons d'habitation de différents quartiers deviennent inhabitables. Au quartier Kibenga rural et Gisyo de la zone Kanyosha, certaines routes sont impraticables. #Burundi pic.twitter.com/sgemyTT6kb
— Isanganiro (@RadioIsanganiro) April 16, 2021
Près de 1 500 familles affectées par le débordement du Lac #Tanganyika en @RumongeProvince ces dernières semaines. @UNICEF_Burundi avec @MESRS4 & l’administration provinciale_de Rumonge fournissent des kits scolaires à + 600 enfants pour éviter l’interruption de leur scolarité pic.twitter.com/O3D6YMZGJw
— UNICEF Burundi (@UNICEF_Burundi) April 20, 2021
Le SP au @MielsBurundi en compagnie du DG de @ARBurundi effectue une visite de travail sur la #RN3 Bujumbura-Rumonge-Mugina pour s'enquérir de l'état des lieux de cette route menacée par la montée des eaux du lac #Tanganyika au niveau de Nyaruhongoka sur une distance de 300m pic.twitter.com/S9h0sJZmOU
— RTNB (@RTNBurundi) April 24, 2021
My country #Burundi is mercilessly affected by climate change whereas its contribution to global warming is close to nothing. Pple are asked to leave flooded areas around #Tanganyika lake & its main tributary Rusizi, leaving behind all their belongings taken away by water. pic.twitter.com/1PZmSPqJD9
— NDAYISHEMEZA Denis (@Ndayishemeza_) April 23, 2021
#Abatwip mubintu biriko biravugwa cane mwino misi kandi binaraje ishinga cane #LetaMvyeyi harimwo amazi ya Tanganyika abandanya gutera abantu hamwe n'ibiraro biguma bibomagurika.@yigenga @YBurundi @yactivista @burundionthemap#Burundi pic.twitter.com/CKq9N7EBr8
— IHORIMBERE Fabrice (@ihorimbere96) April 23, 2021
Featured image credit: @ihoirmbere96/Twitter
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