DR Congo: Rising Lake Tanganyika Waters Affect Communities Along Uvira-Nundu Axis

The Democratic Republic of the Congo's Lake Tanganyika has experienced significant water level increases since 2019, leading to widespread flooding, submersion of riverine zones, and impacts on urban and wetland areas along the northern shores. The recent rise in water levels has been associated with increased precipitation in the lake's basin, including a significant rise in precipitation in the Malagarasi sub-basin. The lake's water levels have also been unusually high in several East African Great Lakes since 2019-2020. While further research is needed to determine the contribution of climate change to these trends, studies show that temperature and atmospheric circulation variations above the Indian Ocean can interact with climate phenomena like El Niño and contribute to exceptionally heavy precipitation and rising lake levels in the region. Non-climatic factors such as deforestation and land-use changes, increased erosion and sedimentation, and unplanned constructions along waterways have also been identified as contributing to the rise in water levels or exacerbating the issue. The accumulation of sediments and constructions around the Lukuga River have contributed to its narrowing, which could limit the capacity of the lake's sole surface outlet to drain excess water. The rise in water levels and hydrological fluctuations along the northern shore of Lake Tanganyika between Uvira and Nundu have significant socio-economic implications, with the lake's transportation playing a crucial role in connecting major urban centers and smaller localities. The port of Kalundu in Uvira is a key node linking the Congolese shore to regional trade routes.