Severe flooding exacerbated by climate change continues to devastate communities in Africa, particularly in Nigeria’s Kogi state, where millions are affected. The annual inundation of homes and agricultural lands signifies a worsening pattern in weather extremes that threatens food security and livelihoods. Experts warn that this trend will escalate unless global emissions are reduced and urgent action is taken to address the impact of climate change.
In central Nigeria, the persistent threat of flooding has become an annual plight for Idris Egbunu, a 67-year-old resident of Lokoja who has experienced flood damage to his home each rainy season for the past twelve years. The Niger River, a majestic but precarious waterway, frequently overflows its banks, inundating the surrounding areas, causing immense destruction and chaos. As climate change contributes to increasingly severe weather patterns across the continent, the situation has escalated dramatically, with millions at risk this year alone. To date, approximately 6.9 million individuals in West and Central Africa have been affected by the torrential rains and floods of 2024, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). In Kogi state, where flooding has intensified notably since 2012, emergency officials report that while the floods may not yet have matched the devastating scale witnessed in 2022, they have nonetheless caused significant disruption to the lives of local residents. Fatima Bilyaminu, a 31-year-old shopkeeper, illustrates the personal toll of the flooding, as her only access to her home is by boat due to rising water levels that nearly reach her windows. The continuous cycle of flooding leaves her with the harrowing burden of losing possessions and repeatedly repairing her home with no feasible alternatives. Even as Africa contributes a mere four percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, it remains among the regions most adversely affected by climate change. Recent reports indicate that this year is on track to surpass previous temperature records, with extreme weather occurrences becoming more prevalent. The Sahel region, for instance, faces unprecedented rainfall volumes throughout this period. Additionally, countries like Chad and Cameroon report substantial loss of life and extensive property damage, highlighting a growing crisis exacerbated by climate change. As researchers note, the traditional cyclical nature of flooding is transitioning into a much more frequent occurrence, a development which commands urgent global action to mitigate emissions. Thus, strategic planning and international cooperation are critical in addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change and urbanization in vulnerable regions.
The phenomenon of climate change is altering weather patterns across the globe, leading to more severe and frequent flooding, particularly in Africa despite the continent’s limited contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. This trend is observable in the case of Lokoja, Nigeria, where communities have faced successive flooding events that disrupt their daily lives and threaten their livelihoods. Climate scientists underscore the consequences of these shifts, predicting an increase in extreme weather events as global temperatures rise, which necessitates immediate action from the international community to limit greenhouse gas emissions. The urgency is amplified by the fact that millions of Africans already living in poverty will be disproportionately affected by droughts, floods, and heat-related phenomena.
The ongoing flooding crisis in Africa, exemplified by the experiences of individuals like Idris Egbunu and Fatima Bilyaminu, underscores the significant impact of climate change on vulnerable communities. With millions affected and property rapidly deteriorating, it is evident that climate change is transforming the cyclical pattern of flooding into a persistent threat, necessitating global solidarity to combat greenhouse gas emissions and protect vulnerable populations from extreme weather events. The stark reality remains that Africa, while contributing minimally to climate change, suffers the grave consequences of a crisis that demands urgent and comprehensive action from the global community.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
