Tandale, Dar es Salaam Mapping Water Pathways with Drones to Minimize Flooding Risk
- Kizito Makoye
- Jan 9, 2017
- 1 min read
The sight of a drone hovering above the streets of Tandale to map the crowded flood-prone neighbourhood in the north of Dar es Salaam spread excitement among inhabitants tired of dealing with regular inundations.
“I am happy to see something is being done to prevent flooding,” said 35-year-old resident Happy Malimbo.
With the help of drones, city authorities are drawing up plans to protect and assist suburbs at risk of flooding like Tandale, offering a glimmer of hope to those who live there.
Since 2013, Dar es Salaam City Council has worked with the World Bank and other partners, including the Red Cross and the Open Geospatial Consortium, to plot roads, streams and flood plains using drones.
Dubbed Ramani Huria (Swahili for “Open Mapping”), the project aims to help communities in slums create accurate maps of their localities, which can be used to reduce flood risks and improve response to disasters, officials said.
Imke Stahlmann
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