Gambia experiences worst floods in nearly half a century

Flash floods that hit most of Gamia on July 30 and 31 and on August 5 and 6, 2022, have been the worst that have hit the country in nearly half a century. The worst affected were the West Coast Region, North Bank Region, and the Greater Banjul Area.

The floods affected a total of 37 104 people, including 7 843 children between zero and five years old, and 2 446 pregnant and breastfeeding women.

According to the analysis of satellite images conducted by the World Food Programme and the European Joint Research Center, 48 127 ha (118 924 acres) of land have been flooded, of which 67 ha (165 acres) are cultivated areas.¹

Floods that hit the country in late July claimed the lives of at least 2 people and severely affected 230 households.²

According to the Gambia’s Department of Water Resources, the country experienced its highest rainfall since 1998 between July 30 and 31, when it rained continuously for 20 hours.

During this time, Banjul International Airport recorded 276 mm (10.8 inches) of rainfall.

Flooding at Banjul Tobacco Road pic.twitter.com/OVyDyx28op

— alhagiemanka (@ALHAGIEMANKA) August 5, 2022

Flooding around Kotu/Manjai bridge.#GambiaFlooding pic.twitter.com/lFQqS8laUR

— alhagiemanka (@ALHAGIEMANKA) July 31, 2022

Flooding around Kotu/Latri Kunda Bridge. pic.twitter.com/5yoJo4IJG6

— STATE OF MIC (@stateofmic) July 31, 2022

References:

¹ The Gambia – Floods, update (DG ECHO, WFP, DG JRC, IFRC) – August 12, 2022

² The Gambia – Floods Leave Homes and Roads Damaged, Two Fatalities Reported – FloodList – August 3, 2022