Severe flooding in Africa, exacerbated by climate change, has affected 6.9 million people in 2024, particularly in Nigeria’s Kogi state. The frequency and severity of flooding incidents, shifting from a decadal to an annual occurrence, pose significant challenges to food security and local economies. Experts warn that rising global temperatures will lead to more extreme weather events, necessitating urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions globally.
For over a decade, the town of Lokoja in central Nigeria has been subjected to recurring floods, profoundly impacting local residents like 67-year-old Idris Egbunu. Each rainy season, the Niger River overflows, inundating homes and leaving in its wake substantial damage that often requires extensive cleaning and repairs. The flooding has grown increasingly severe due to climate change, leading to a significant threat to the livelihood and food security of millions across the African continent. Currently, approximately 6.9 million individuals in West and Central Africa are grappling with the effects of torrential rains and severe flooding, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). In 2022, floods caused significant devastation in Nigeria, resulting in over 500 fatalities and displacing 1.4 million people. While this year’s flooding in Kogi state has not yet reached the catastrophic levels of 2022, officials like Sandra Musa are alarmed at the escalating water levels that have already affected about two million people. The repercussions of climate change are felt acutely in Africa, despite the continent’s minimal contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions. Aida Diongue-Niang from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change highlights unusual weather patterns this year, stating, “This year has been unusual in terms of the amount of rainfall, with many extreme events, which is one of the signs of climate change.” This trend is evident across the Sahel region and neighboring countries, where the intensity and frequency of rainfall have reached unprecedented levels, resulting in loss of life, property, and agricultural damage. The phenomenon of escalating floods has shifted from a decadal cycle to an annual occurrence, as indicated by Clair Barnes from the Center for Environmental Policy at Imperial College London. Experts predict that without significant reductions in fossil fuel use, such extreme weather events will continue to worsen. Moreover, the threat posed by urban expansion along riverbanks exacerbates the risks of flooding, necessitating urgent action from governments worldwide to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Simply put, addressing the climate crisis and its implications for flooding cannot fall solely upon African nations; it requires a concerted effort from the global community to reduce emissions and foster resilience in vulnerable regions.
The article addresses the increasing severity and frequency of flooding in Africa as a consequence of climate change, particularly in Nigeria’s Kogi state. The Niger River, which converges with its tributary, the Benue River, has become a focal point for recurrent flooding incidents, leading to widespread destruction of homes and crops. The United Nations reports millions of affected individuals, revealing the dire consequences of shifting weather patterns across the continent. This highlights the vulnerability of African nations to environmental changes, despite their low greenhouse gas emissions.
In summary, the persistence of climate change has intensified flooding in many parts of Africa, particularly in regions like Lokoja, Nigeria. Millions of individuals are embroiled in a cycle of destruction and recovery due to the annual occurrence of severe floods. With climate change continuing to disrupt weather patterns, the future looks increasingly bleak for millions reliant on stable weather for their livelihoods. Urgent action, not only from African nations but from the international community, is imperative to mitigate the impacts of climate change and foster resilience against such natural disasters.
Original Source: phys.org
