Mali: Guinea, Mali, Sierra Leone - On Watch - Flooding Likely - 27 August 2013

Heavy rains are expected to lead to flash flooding and river flooding in far western Africa in the coming days. The heaviest rains are expected to occur on 27 and 28 August across the highlands of Guinea and Sierra Leone (over 150 mm possible) and southwest Mali (up to 80 mm possible).

Currently, river levels are elevated along the Niger river and associated tributaries in southwest Mali and Guinea, and the Mali Government on 23 August issued a warning for flooding along the upper Sankarani basin. Both of these rivers originate in the highlands of Guinea and Sierra Leone, where the heaviest rains are expected to occur. As a result, river levels are expected to increase along both the Niger and Sankarani Rivers through 31 August.