Flooding in Dakar: Urbanization Mistakes Worsen the Situation

Heavy rain overnight from October 4 to 5 brought 142 mm of precipitation in Rufisque, 137.5 mm in Dakar-Yoff and 111 mm in Keur Massar. Geographer-hydrologist El Hadji Ousmane Ndiaye and urban geographer Souleymane Diallo say Dakar’s vulnerability stems from a combination of low-lying terrain, a shallow water table and poorly controlled urban development. Concrete-covered dunes and landfills in wetlands in Hann Maristes, Thiaroye and Keur Massar reduce water infiltration and disrupt natural drainage, while some roads obstruct water flows. The occupation of flood-prone areas also grew after droughts from the 1970s to 2000 altered perceptions of risk.