Climate Change’s Intensifying Impact: Floods Devastate Africa
Climate change has intensified flooding in Africa, particularly affecting Nigeria’s Kogi State, where personal accounts reveal devastating losses for residents. With millions impacted and severe weather patterns becoming the norm, experts warn of worsening conditions if global emissions are not curtailed.
For the past twelve years, 67-year-old Idris Egbunu has experienced the catastrophic effects of flooding in central Nigeria, as the Niger River overflows its banks, inundating his home for extended periods. Each new rainy season brings the burden of recovery, including cleaning, repairs, and repaints, only to start anew when the floods return. This situation is emblematic of the conditions in Lokoja, Kogi State, where flooding is now a significant annual danger, exacerbated by the impacts of climate change. This year, the severity of flooding across much of Africa has escalated, contributing to widespread devastation. As reported by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), approximately 6.9 million individuals in West and Central Africa have been affected as of early 2024. Since 2012, flooding in Kogi State has intensified, with 2022 recording the worst floods in a decade, resulting in over 500 fatalities and the displacement of 1.4 million residents. While Sandra Musa, an advisor to the Kogi state governor, notes that this year’s floods have not yet reached the catastrophic levels of 2022, they remain concerning, with projections indicating around two million people affected. Fatima Bilyaminu, a local shopkeeper, describes the extreme challenges she faces, relying on boats to reach her residence, which the rising waters have nearly flooded. “I lost everything. My bed, my cushioned chair, my wardrobe, my kitchen equipment,” she lamented. The adverse effects of climate change are disproportionately felt across Africa, a continent responsible for only around four percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the World Meteorological Organisation. Aida Diongue-Niang of the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emphasizes this year’s unusual rainfall patterns, associating them with climate change indicators. In the Sahel region, unprecedented rainfall prolonged and intensified, while regions in Niger showed a remarkable 200 percent increase in precipitation compared to previous years. The ongoing crises are felt beyond Nigeria, as in Chad, at least 576 have lost their lives due to flooding, with 1.9 million affected. Cameroon’s floods have devastated housing and agricultural lands, and Guinea’s capital has also experienced significant inundation. In Mali, entire areas, including Bamako, have been submerged, exacerbating public health concerns as waste contaminates streets. Researchers have noted a shift from infrequent flooding occurring once a decade to increasingly frequent annual disasters. Clair Barnes from the Centre for Environmental Policy highlights that without a concrete reduction in fossil fuel use, such trends are inevitable. According to experts, by 2030, nearly 118 million impoverished Africans will face intensified risks from climate-related disasters. Environmental policy experts stress the importance of addressing urban development along riverbanks to mitigate risks associated with flooding. Ultimately, Aida Diongue-Niang reiterates the global responsibility to combat extreme weather conditions by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, stating, “That does not fall to the region — it falls to the whole of humanity.”
The escalating floods worsened by climate change have become a critical issue in Africa, particularly in Nigeria’s Kogi State. The trend indicates a direct correlation between climate change and the increasing frequency and intensity of flooding, which threatens the livelihoods and safety of millions. With the continent contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, the challenges faced highlight the urgency for a collective global response to climate change and its consequences on vulnerable populations.
In summary, flooding exacerbated by climate change poses a severe threat to millions of African residents, particularly in countries like Nigeria, Chad, and Cameroon. The increasing frequency of these disasters exemplifies a critical need for global cooperation to address climate change and its impacts on the vulnerable populations of Africa. Without immediate action to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, the cycle of recovery and devastation is likely to continue, endangering lives and disrupting regional stability.
Original Source: www.barrons.com
