Persistent flooding in Lokoja, Nigeria, exacerbated by climate change, poses severe threats to millions across Africa, with approximately 6.9 million people affected in 2024. Despite only contributing 4% to global emissions, Africa suffers from the brunt of climate-related flooding, illustrating urgent needs for global collective action to combat climate change and its devastating effects on vulnerable communities.
In Lokoja, Nigeria, 67-year-old Idris Egbunu has faced persistent flooding in his home due to the Niger River consistently overflowing its banks. This annual ordeal has occurred for over a decade and includes extensive cleaning and repairs after the water recedes each rainy season. In Lokoja, located where the Niger meets the Benue River, flooding has become a tragic certainty, exacerbated by climate change, which has significantly altered weather patterns across Africa. The year 2024 has seen the severity of flooding intensify, threatening the survival of millions. Recent data from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) indicates that nearly 6.9 million individuals in West and Central Africa have been impacted by torrential rains and flooding this year alone. Officials in Kogi state, including Sandra Musa, an advisor to the local emergency agency, have reported worsening conditions since 2012, with severe floods in Nigeria resulting in over 500 fatalities and displacing 1.4 million in 2022. Although this year’s flooding has not yet reached 2022 levels, it remains dire, affecting approximately two million people in Kogi alone. Daily challenges such as accessibility to homes, exemplified by residents like Fatima Bilyaminu, who can only reach her house by boat amidst rising waters, illustrate the stark reality faced by many. She lamented the loss of her possessions due to flooding. Africa emerges as one of the most significantly affected regions by climate change, despite contributing only four percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. The World Meteorological Organization highlights unprecedented rainfall patterns attributed to climatic shifts, which have led to extensive humanitarian crises. The Sahel region has recorded rainfall levels significantly higher than average, and countries like Niger, Chad, and Cameroon have experienced devastating impacts, including fatalities and widespread destruction of homes and crops. Urban areas are also facing challenges, with significant flooding disrupting daily life in cities like Bamako, Mali, and others. Experts assert that without a transition from fossil fuel dependence, the cyclical nature of flooding will continue to escalate. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) underscores that collective global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are crucial to mitigating extreme weather events affecting vulnerable populations across the continent. The urgency of addressing these climate challenges is underscored by predictions that millions more Africans will face severe weather impacts in the coming years.
The phenomenon of climate change is significantly influencing weather patterns globally, with Africa being particularly vulnerable due to its geographical and socio-economic conditions. This vulnerability is compounded by the continent’s low contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions yet high susceptibility to the resulting extreme weather events. Flooding, specifically, has become a recurrent crisis in many African nations as rainfall increases in intensity and frequency, disrupting lives and livelihoods and undermining regional food security. Poor infrastructure and inadequate disaster preparedness further exacerbate the challenges posed by such severe weather conditions, affecting communities’ resilience in the face of climate change.
In summary, the visible impact of climate change, particularly in the form of severe flooding across Africa, is a critical issue that demands urgent global attention and action. While local communities like those in Lokoja face the brunt of these impacts annually, it is incumbent upon the international community to collectively confront the causes of climate change. The need for reduced greenhouse gas emissions is paramount to safeguarding vulnerable populations and mitigating future risks posed by escalating extreme weather events. In this context, addressing the interplay between urbanization and climate change will be essential in developing sustainable and resilient communities.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
