The new 2023-2024 flood season has begun and from now on OPIDIN offers regular bulletins until the water level in Mopti has reached its peak level. Unlike in previous years, no weekly bulletins are published this year. The information on water levels is updated weekly, and the predicted flood level can be followed via the flood forecast page.
The water level in Mopti has increased to 380 cm on 10 August. That is not as high as last year and in past three years. Last year, the water level at this date had reached already a level of over 470 m, thus 90 centimeter higher than this year on 10 August. It is therefore not likely that 2023 will be a year with a very high flood as in 2020 and last year (when the peak flood level reached 670 and 675 cm in Mopti). The present water level in Mopti is similar to those measured on 8 August in 2010, 2015 and 2019, being three years with a moderate peak flood level (varying between 618 and 640 cm in Mopti).
The water level in Mopti has not increased very much so far because the rainfall in the Upper Niger during the last four months has been moderate, although still above the long-term average. It is still early August, so we are only halfway the rainy season and much can change depending on the rainfall in the Upper Niger River during the coming weeks. The rainfall forecast for the coming weeks is above average in the Upper Niger Basin, but not so in the Malian part.
The flood prediction is still unsure and may vary depending on the amount of rainfall the coming weeks. Most likely the flood level will this year not be extremely high, as in recent years.
