The height of the flood is exceptionally high this year. The water level in Mopti on the 24th October was 670 cm, the highest level since 1969. The water level in Mopti showed still a small increase last week. The water level in Mopti is now 119 cm higher than the peak last year (551 cm, reached on 22 September). Based on the information available on 24th October, OPIDIN predicts a peak which is higher than 2016. It is expected that the peak is nearly reached now as the flood peak passed Bamako already.
The water level in Mopti on the 24th October was 670 cm, resulting in an increase of 7 cm compared to the previous week. The water level is 20 cm higher than the one at the same date in 2016. It is expected, that the water level in Mopti will not increase, until the peak in Mopti will be reached in the end of October. Based on OPIDIN, the level of flooding will be at its maximum in Akka in the end of November and in Diré around half of December.
Based on the current prediction, the south-western part of the Inner Niger Delta may become available for grazing cattle around half of December. Using the relationship between peak flood level in Mopti and the annual date when the cows are allowed to enter the Inner Niger Delta at Diafarabé, it is expected that the cattle can cross the river at Diafarabé in the second week of December.
The rainy season in the Upper Niger Basin started on an average level this year but from mid-July onwards there is an upward trend with rainfall far above average in the Upper Niger Basin as well as in the Upper Bani. The weather models forecast that the rainy season in the Upper Niger Basin comes to an end.
