Climate Change-Exacerbated Flooding Devastates Africa

Flooding in Africa, worsened by climate change, has severely affected millions of people, particularly in Nigeria, where residents face annual inundations. The impact is widespread, with countries across West and Central Africa grappling with unprecedented rains and humanitarian crises. Experts warn that these extreme weather events will continue to escalate without global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In recent years, the impact of climate change on Africa has become alarmingly apparent, particularly through the lens of increasingly devastating floods. For Idris Egbunu, a 67-year-old resident of Lokoja, Nigeria, this unfortunate reality has manifested with each rainy season for the past twelve years. The Niger River regularly overflows its banks, inundating his home and forcing him to undertake extensive repairs following each deluge. The Kogi State, where the Niger meets the Benue River, is particularly vulnerable; flooding has become a predictable annual phenomenon that has worsened since 2012. The repercussions of these floods are severe: according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), approximately 6.9 million individuals in West and Central Africa have been impacted by flooding in 2024 alone. Emergency response advisor Sandra Musa noted that while the flooding this year has not yet reached the catastrophic levels of 2022, when Nigeria faced its worst flooding in a decade resulting in over 500 fatalities and displacing 1.4 million people, the current situation remains alarming. “Usually at this time of year the water level drops, but here it’s rising again,” she stated. The struggles of individuals such as Fatima Bilyaminu, who has lost virtually all her possessions in the floods, paint a sobering picture. Unable to relocate due to financial constraints, she persists in repairing her damaged home, facing repeated adversity. The broader context demonstrates that Africa, contributing only around four percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, is heavily burdened by the consequences of climate change. This year is on track to become the hottest on record globally, with extreme weather events—including unprecedented rainfall—becoming the norm. In the Sahel region, rainfall patterns have intensified drastically, while Niger has experienced rains nearly double those of previous years, placing UNESCO World Heritage sites at risk. Reports from neighboring countries reflect a similarly dire situation: in Chad, torrential rains have caused significant fatalities and affected over ten percent of the population; in Cameroon, thousands of homes have been destroyed; and in Guinea, floodwaters have overwhelmed urban centers. Furthermore, the historic Tomb of Askia in Mali succumbed to the elements, highlighting the cultural loss amidst the environmental crisis. Climate scientists warn that these patterns are likely to worsen if fossil fuel dependence continues. As Clair Barnes from the Centre for Environmental Policy warns, the frequency of flooding, once seen as a decadal cycle, has transitioned to a disturbing annual occurrence—a trend projected to exacerbate under rising global temperatures. Ultimately, as experts emphasize, the solution to extreme weather challenges lies in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, a responsibility transcending regional initiatives. The imperative for global cooperation remains a crucial takeaway from the ongoing climate crises facing Africa.

The article addresses the catastrophic effects of climate change on Africa, particularly through intensified flooding during rainy seasons. With a focus on Lokoja, a city in Nigeria’s Kogi State, the article illustrates the relentless cycle of floods that residents, like Idris Egbunu and Fatima Bilyaminu, have experienced in recent years. The article underscores a broader trend affecting millions across West and Central Africa in 2024, drawing on United Nations data to reflect on the escalating humanitarian crisis. Through the lens of various expert opinions cited in the article, it highlights how climate change—despite Africa’s minimal contribution to global emissions—has led to increasingly severe weather events that threaten homes, livelihoods, and regional food security. It concludes with a call for collective action to address the urgent issues arising from climate-induced challenges.

In summary, the article chronicles the increasingly severe flooding events in Africa exacerbated by climate change, impacting millions and demonstrating the urgent need for global cooperation to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. As individuals like Idris Egbunu and Fatima Bilyaminu endure repeated hardships, the statistics around displacement and damage compel a reevaluation of climate policies and emphasize the necessity of proactive measures to safeguard against future disasters.

Original Source: www.rfi.fr