A recent study by scientists has confirmed that climate change has exacerbated floods in Africa, particularly affecting countries like Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Nigeria, and Sudan. This year’s rains have been 5-20% more intense, leading to significant loss of life and widespread displacement. Experts warn that such severe weather events may become annual occurrences if global warming continues, calling for urgent reforms and investments related to climate change preparedness and response.
Recent floods across regions in Africa, notably in countries such as Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Nigeria, and Sudan, have claimed numerous lives and resulted in the displacement of millions. An international team of scientists disclosed on Wednesday that these devastating weather events have been exacerbated by climate change attributable to human activities. According to a study released by World Weather Attribution (WWA), the intensity of seasonal downpours this year has increased by approximately 5 to 20 percent across the Niger and Lake Chad basins as a consequence of global warming. Should current warming trends persist, the WWA warns that such extreme levels of rainfall could become a yearly occurrence. Izidine Pinto, a researcher from the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute and one of the authors of the study, commented, “Spells of heavy summer rainfall have become the new normal in Sudan, Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, and Chad. These results are incredibly concerning,” he cautioned, noting that “with every fraction of a degree of warming, the risk of extreme floods will keep increasing.” In light of these findings, he urged the upcoming UN COP29 climate summit, set to convene in Azerbaijan next month, to prioritize the acceleration of the transition away from fossil fuels. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), this year’s floods have resulted in approximately 1,500 fatalities and have displaced over 1 million individuals across West and Central Africa. The inundation of rainfall has also compromised the structural integrity of dams in Nigeria and Sudan. Additionally, the floods that occurred between June and September have severely impacted Sudan, deepening existing humanitarian crises and challenging the operational capabilities of aid organizations and governmental bodies in the region. The WWA has predicted that if global temperatures rise by 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, a scenario projected to manifest as early as the 2050s, intense downpours similar to those experienced this year are likely to occur almost annually in the impacted areas. The report advocates for enhanced investment in early warning systems and the upgrading of dam infrastructures. Joyce Kimutai, a researcher at Imperial College London, emphasized that while Africa contributes minimally to global carbon emissions, it bears the brunt of extreme weather conditions, asserting that richer nations must provide “meaningful finance” to assist the affected areas as they prepare for COP29.
The impact of climate change on weather patterns is a growing concern globally, particularly for vulnerable regions in Africa. The interplay of rising global temperatures and increased rainfall is leading to more frequent and severe flooding events. Vulnerable populations in regions such as Sudan, Nigeria, and Cameroon face heightened risks due to inadequate infrastructure to handle such climatic extremes, further exacerbating humanitarian crises and necessitating international attention and aid.
In conclusion, the alarming increase in the intensity of seasonal rainfall in Africa due to climate change demonstrates the urgent need for international collaboration to mitigate its effects. The findings from the WWA underscore the importance of investing in infrastructure improvements and implementing robust climate policies at the upcoming COP29 summit. As climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable regions like Africa, it is essential for developed nations to provide substantial financial assistance to combat these critical challenges.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
