Climate Resilience and Mapping Innovation: Monitoring the Rising Waters of Lake Tanganyika
Lake Tanganyika, one of Africa's Great Lakes and the second-deepest freshwater lake in the world, has experienced unprecedented flooding in recent years—posing serious threats to communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems across Burundi and neighboring countries.
In April 2021, the lake's water level increased to 776.45 meters above sea level, far exceeding its average of 772.7 meters. This anomaly was driven by intense rainfall and extreme weather patterns linked to climate change. The resulting floods overwhelmed shoreline infrastructure, inundated homes and farmland, and displaced thousands of residents.
By April 2024, Lake Tanganyika reached a historic high of 777.2 meters, surpassing its previous record set in May 1964. Areas such as Gatumba and Kibenga in Burundi were particularly hard hit, with entire neighborhoods submerged. Nationwide, over 100,000 people have been forced to flee due to climate-related disasters—primarily floods and landslides triggered by the lake's rising waters.
In response to this escalating crisis, our project demonstrated how drone technology, combined with open mapping tools, can play a pivotal role in early warning systems, disaster preparedness, and emergency response. By rapidly capturing high-resolution aerial imagery and integrating it into spatial platforms, we were able to assess flood-prone zones, support evacuation planning, and aid in real-time disaster response coordination.
This initiative underscores the urgent need for climate adaptation strategies and highlights the power of open geospatial technologies in building resilience for vulnerable communities across Africa.