Burundi’s prolonged rainy seasons are associated with severe flooding causing fatalities and economic losses, particularly in urban areas like Bujumbura. Unregulated construction and environmental degradation aggravate the crisis. Local authorities are criticized for inaction despite constitutional obligations, while reliance on international aid for climate-related issues grows. Effective infrastructure development, community participation, and governmental accountability are urgently needed to mitigate these dangers.
Burundi, located in Eastern Africa’s Great Lakes region, endures heavy rainfall for nine months annually, marked by the onset of rains in September following a brief dry season. The rainy season, albeit essential for agriculture, often culminates in severe consequences for families, resulting in fatalities from floods in urban areas like Bujumbura due to unregulated construction and deforestation, which exacerbate environmental vulnerability. Recent tragedies highlight this peril; in October 2024, flash floods led to the drowning of two children in Bujumbura as they returned home from school, underscoring the recurring dangers posed by rains. Witnesses express frustration over the local government’s inaction regarding such disasters, stating, “Les autorités nous ont abandonnés alors qu’elles sont au courant de ce qui nous arrive à chaque saison pluvieuse. Cette pluie tue…”
The economic ramifications of excessive rainfall are substantial, adversely impacting livelihoods, especially those reliant on transport systems like truck drivers. As adverse weather renders roads impassable, drivers experience a significant decrease in earnings, sometimes losing half their income during rainy periods. One supplier lamented, “Pendant la saison des pluies excessives, nous enregistrons une baisse énorme de nos revenus. ” Meanwhile, criticisms arise regarding the government’s failure to maintain adequate infrastructure, with an anonymous truck owner stating, “Nous payons une bagatelle de plusieurs millions de francs burundais mais le gouvernement ne songe pas à nous construire de bonnes routes.”
Under Article 35 of the Burundian Constitution, the government bears the responsibility for land use and resource management. Amid recurrent flooding, victims demand effective measures from authorities including the construction of adequate drainage systems. The Director-General of the Burundi Road Agency, Bigirimana Constantin, acknowledged the damaging effects of rainwater from the mountains, noting, “We know the rainwater from the mountains overlooking Bujumbura causes tremendous damage…” He emphasized the need for improved urban infrastructure and responsible civic participation to mitigate these challenges.
The Burundian government is increasingly reliant on international assistance to cope with climate change’s impacts and urban overpopulation. Innocent Banigwaninzigo, an environmentalist, stated that the government cannot solely address climate challenges and called for an increase in disaster management budgets. He remarked, “The Burundian government cannot meet the country’s current needs alone…” Additionally, he advocated for strengthened legal frameworks to ensure efficient natural resource management. However, issues such as corruption and poor enforcement of existing laws persist, complicating efforts.
Burundi faces escalating dangers due to climate change, particularly during its prolonged rainy seasons, which lead to significant human and economic losses. The ineffective response from authorities, alongside increasing urbanization and insufficient infrastructure, exacerbates the risks for vulnerable communities. Without decisive government action and community engagement to restore natural systems and improve infrastructure, the frequency and severity of climate-related damages are expected to rise, necessitating urgent reform and international collaboration.
Original Source: globalvoices.org
