The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) reported on 25 April 2021 that flooding from the rising Lake Tanganyika had affected thousands of families in areas of Burundi over the last few weeks.
Levels of the lake have been slowly rising since February 2021. Heavy rainfall since the start of April has worsened the situation with further rainfall predicted until mid-May.
As of 19 April 2021, the level of Lake Tanganyika at the port of Bujumbura stood at 776.45 metres above sea level. The average level is 772.7 metres. Media said if the level exceeds 777 metres, areas around Bujumbura port will be flooded.
UNOCHA reported around 8,000 families have been affected and 2,000 displaced by flooding in lakeside communities including Bugarama, Kanyenkoko, Muhuta, Nyanza-Lac, Gatumba, Rukaramu, Kibenga, Gisyo and Kabondo.
Social Media
#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
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
Burundi La colère du lac Tanganyika https://t.co/rHBCdQeF0d #Iwacu #Burundi
— EyeOnRwanda/Burundi (@KigaliBujumbura) April 25, 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
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
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
