Senegal’s flood prevention strategy: Sonko urges ministries to act ahead of rains
Government intensifies flood preparedness measures
Dakar – As Senegal braces for the upcoming rainy season, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has called for urgent action to strengthen flood prevention mechanisms. During Wednesday’s Council of Ministers meeting, he issued clear directives to relevant ministers to implement critical safeguards without delay.
Key directives for flood risk reduction
The Prime Minister emphasized the immediate need for several preventive measures, including:
- Updating and validating all municipal emergency response plans
- Ensuring early warning systems and communication channels are fully operational
- Pre-positioning intervention resources and conducting inter-ministerial simulation drills before June 15, 2026
Coordinated approach to disaster management
Highlighting the cross-sectoral nature of flood prevention, Sonko stressed that all government departments must collaborate seamlessly under the leadership of the Ministry of Hydraulics and Sanitation. The Ministry of the Interior will play a crucial role in civil protection and crisis management aspects of the strategy.
The government’s proactive stance includes ongoing initiatives led by the Ministry of Hydraulics and Sanitation, such as:
- Clearing drainage networks
- Inspecting drainage infrastructure
- Positioning pumps in high-risk areas
- Developing comprehensive emergency response plans
Unified effort for national resilience
By demanding strict adherence to these measures, the Prime Minister underscored Senegal’s commitment to safeguarding communities from potential flooding. The coordinated approach aims to minimize risks and enhance the country’s capacity to respond effectively to natural disasters.
