With the crossing of the 8-meter alert threshold of the water level, which is currently at 8.56 m, repercussions of the sharp rise in the river waters are being observed in the Matam region. The regional delegation of the Senegal River Delta and Falémé Land Development and Exploitation Company (SAED) announces that with the advance of the waters, "nearly 1,242 hectares of land, including 145 hectares currently under cultivation, have been submerged by the waters of the Senegal River."

In an interview with the local press, Moussa Mbodji, the deputy regional delegate of the Saed of Matam, who does not hide his concerns about the threats hanging over the current campaign, warns of possible damage to crops linked to the risks of more significant flooding, with the continuation of the upward trend in rising water levels.

At this time last year, less than 500 hectares were flooded, compared to more than 1,000 hectares currently completely submerged by the floodwaters. This situation is already preventing SAED producers and technicians from sleeping soundly, fearing constant damage due to flooding in their fields. Not ruling out damage to land, as well as breaches of protective dikes in certain areas, the SAED regional delegation is working to implement resilience measures.

To contain the flood wave, "technicians are closing the valves of the flooded rice-growing areas and motor pumps are being used to evacuate the water from the flooded fields to the outside of the plots in order to save the crops."

The communes of Aouré, Semmé, Orkadiéré, Dembancané, in the department of Kanel, those of Matam, Nabadji Civol and Bokidiawé are the areas most affected by the phenomenon, the possible damage of which could have serious consequences.

The regional delegation of the Saed is in full swing to pump water from the rice fields "to save the crops from damage that can occur fifteen days after the waters enter. Rice plants can withstand all this time," said the Deputy Regional Delegate.