Record Water Levels in Lake Victoria Threaten Floods in South Sudan and Sudan

The water level in Uganda's Lake Victoria has reached an unprecedented 13.66 meters due to heavy El Niño rains, posing significant flood risks for South Sudan and Sudan.

This surge in water levels is the highest ever recorded for Lake Victoria, surpassing the previous record of 13.5 meters set in 2020. The lake receives water from 23 rivers across the region, all of which have been affected by the El Niño phenomenon, leading to the dramatic increase in water volume.

Why this matters: The potential floods in South Sudan and Sudan could lead to a humanitarian crisis, exacerbating the existing conflicts and displacement in the region. Effective disaster management and international support are crucial to mitigate the devastating impacts of climate change.

The Ugandan government has been forced to release more water into the White Nile, exacerbating the threat of flooding in downstream areas, particularly in South Sudan and Sudan. The situation is dire as ongoing conflicts in these countries have debilitated state services, including Nile water level monitoring stations, making it difficult to manage and mitigate the potential disaster.

Ugandan Minister of Water and Environment Sam Cheptoris has warned of imminent flooding, urging communities living on the shores of lakes and riverbanks to take precautionary measures. 'We are appealing to all those people who are within the shores of lakes or the banks of the rivers to be very careful and try to avoid those areas,' he said.

In Sudan, the Jebel Aulia dam, the only reservoir in the country, is currently inaccessible to engineers due to military operations by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since November 2023. This has further complicated efforts to manage the rising water levels and mitigate flood risks.

The high water levels in Lake Victoria have forced the Ugandan government to take drastic measures. 'The water level of Lake Victoria has risen to its highest level... This may lead to floods in South Sudan and Sudan,' warned Minister Cheptoris.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has severely weakened the country's ability to respond to natural disasters. The inaccessibility of the Jebel Aulia dam and the lack of functional water level monitoring stations have left the region vulnerable to the devastating impacts of potential flooding.

Authorities in Uganda have begun operations to evict people living on lake shores and riverbanks to prevent potential disasters. Bariega Akankwasah, Executive Director of the National Environment Management Authority, urged residents to relocate to safer areas: 'We call upon Ugandans not to wait for what happened to our brothers and sisters in Kenya and Brazil. We request all those living in wetlands to vacate immediately.'

As the region braces for the impact of the rising water levels, the need for effective disaster management and international support becomes increasingly urgent. The record-high water levels in Lake Victoria serve as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by climate change and the importance of preparedness in mitigating its effects.

Key Takeaways

• Lake Victoria's water level reaches record 13.66m due to El Niño rains.
• Flood risks high in South Sudan and Sudan, potentially exacerbating conflicts.
• Ugandan gov't releases water into White Nile, worsening flood threat.
• Sudan's Jebel Aulia dam inaccessible due to military operations.
• Effective disaster management and international support crucial to mitigate impacts.