Flooding in central Nigeria has intensified over the past decade, largely due to climate change impacts. Approximately 6.9 million people in West and Central Africa have been affected by severe flooding in 2024. Homes and crops are repeatedly destroyed, threatening food security. Despite Africa’s minimal contribution to global emissions, the continent experiences heightened vulnerability to climate disasters, necessitating urgent global collective action for mitigation.
In recent years, flooding has become an annual crisis for residents in central Nigeria, particularly for 67-year-old Idris Egbunu, whose home is regularly inundated by the Niger River’s overflowing banks. Since 2012, the frequency and severity of floods in Kogi state have escalated, resulting in devastating impacts on local communities, homes, and livelihoods. This year, the situation remains dire, with approximately 6.9 million individuals in West and Central Africa affected by severe flooding, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The floods not only displace communities but also threaten food security by destroying crops. In 2022, Nigeria experienced its worst floods in a decade, with over 500 fatalities and 1.4 million people displaced. Recent assessments by local emergency agencies indicate that the current flooding, while not yet at 2022’s levels, is troubling and affects millions in Kogi state alone. Fatima Bilyaminu, a local shopkeeper, voiced her despair, stating, “I lost everything. My bed, my cushioned chair, my wardrobe, my kitchen equipment.” This sentiment is shared widely across the region as communities struggle to cope with the incessant deluge. Africa, despite its minimal contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions—approximately 4%—is facing the most significant impact of climate change. Climate scientists, such as Aida Diongue-Niang from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), attribute the erratic weather patterns observed this year to climate change effects. Reports indicate areas in Niger experienced up to 200% more rainfall compared to previous years. Other countries, including Chad and Cameroon, have also been severely impacted by flooding, with thousands of homes destroyed and lives lost. The devastation has led to disruptions in education and infrastructure, prompting some governments to reconsider urban planning and construction policies near riverbanks, as highlighted by meteorological experts. The narrative of increasingly frequent flooding in Africa exemplifies the broader challenges posed by climate change, which scientists predict will worsen without decisive action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As articulated by Diongue-Niang, addressing the escalating climate crisis requires a collective human effort to mitigate environmental harm.
The increasing severity of flooding across Africa, particularly in regions like Nigeria, is closely tied to climate change. With changing weather patterns and intense rainfall becoming the norm, communities like those in Kogi state are consistently at risk of flooding. The destruction of homes and livelihoods, combined with significant agricultural losses, poses a threat not only to individuals but also to regional food security. With the continent contributing minimally to global emissions yet bearing the brunt of climate impacts, the situation calls for urgent global attention to the relationship between environmental practices and human vulnerability.
In conclusion, the recurrent flooding in Africa underscores a pressing climate crisis exacerbated by human activities. The testimonies from residents in Kogi state reflect the deep emotional and economic toll of such disasters. As climate change continues to intensify these weather events, concerted international efforts are imperative to mitigate its effects and secure the future of vulnerable communities across the continent.
Original Source: www.barrons.com
