Inner Niger Delta
OPIDIN (Outil de Prédiction des Inondations dans le Delta Intérieur du Niger) is a tool developed for the Inner Niger Delta to predict the level and the timing of the flood peak as well as the maximal flood extent. That is why OPIDIN can be used as an early warning system. Also the deflooding is predicted. OPIDIN uses for their prediction the daily water levels measured by the Direction Nationale de l'Hydraulique (DNH), in combination with the rainfall in the Upper Niger during the last three weeks.
The flooding of the Inner Niger Delta depends on the river flow of the Niger and Bani Rivers, which in turn depend on the rainfall in the Upper Niger Basin. OPIDIN provides regularly updated information on recent rainfall in the Upper Niger Basin and a rainfall forecast, all based on satellite information.
In this section background information is given on OPIDIN. A snapshot of examples of the application of OPIDIN is given, and how it serves as Early Warning System. Next we provide information on how communities in the delta adapted to water management in the past as well as a snapshot of examples of OPIDIN as Early Warning System. This section also contains the technical background of the tool.
The annual peak and extent of flooding is essential to the communities in the delta. Communication is done via the current website and weekly bulletins. These bulletins are used by radio stations in the Inner Niger Delta, broadcasting in several languages. They inform about the situation of the flood and the prediction for the coming weeks during the period August-November.
OPIDIN (Outil de Prédiction des Inondations dans la Delta Intérieur du Niger) is a tool developed for the Inner Niger Delta to predict the level and the timing of the flood peak as well as the maximal flood extent
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The seasonal flooding of the Inner Niger Delta is the lifeline for communities and biodiversity in this flood-dependent ecosystem and economy. Fishermen, rice farmers and pastoralists time their (socio-)economic activities to the flooding pattern in time and space. That has been the main motivation to develop a practical tool to predict the flooding in the Inner Niger Delta
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OPIDIN has been developed through close cooperation between the Direction Nationale de l'Hydraulique, Wetlands International Mali and Altenburg & Wymenga ecological consultants, with the support of the Dutch embassy in Mali.
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Wetlands International Mali Office Bamako
BP 5017 Hamdallaye ACI 2000
Rue 392 Face Clinique Kabala
Bamako, Mali
+223 20 29 09 01
malipin@afribone.net.ml
Data & information: Altenburg & Wymenga ecological consultants, Frerotte-Hydro-Consult
Technical: PythonUnited, B2Design
