Niger’s 2024 Floods Result in Significant Casualties and Displacement

Niger’s floods in 2024 resulted in 400 deaths and impacted over 1.5 million people. The heavy rains, attributed to climate change, exacerbated vulnerabilities in the Sahel region. Many households were affected, and both cultural sites and the education sector faced significant disruptions due to the damage caused by the floods. The situation signals a rising trend of extreme weather events linked to climate change.

In 2024, devastating floods in Niger claimed nearly 400 lives and affected over 1.5 million individuals, as reported by the country’s Interior Minister, Mohamed Toumba. The floods resulted in 396 fatalities and injured 405 people, impacting more than 200,000 households. The total number of individuals affected amounted to 1,526,653. These conditions were exacerbated by the aftermath of the previous year’s unusual torrential rains, leading to an unprecedented situation.

Climate scientists attribute the increased likelihood and severity of such extreme weather events to climate change, primarily driven by human-induced emissions from fossil fuels. This situation is particularly dire in Africa’s Sahel region, where severe droughts make the ground less capable of absorbing rainwater, thus contributing to flooding. The rainy season of 2023, which stretched from June to September, even reached arid areas near the Sahara Desert, showcasing the widespread effects of this meteorological phenomenon.

Several historical and cultural sites experienced damage, notably in Agadez, which is renowned for its UNESCO-listed old town and 16th-century Grand Mosque. The national weather office reported some areas experiencing rainfall levels up to 200 percent above normal, with the southern districts of Dosso, Maradi, and Zinder and the western region of Tahoua being particularly affected. The situation led to the collapse of the 19th-century mud brick mosque in Zinder, a prominent tourist destination following the Agadez Mosque.

Even the capital city of Niamey faced significant challenges, as rain-damaged roads temporarily isolated it from the rest of Niger. Furthermore, the damage inflicted on schools and their subsequent use as temporary shelters for thousands of displaced individuals led the military junta to postpone the school year start date to October 28. Last year’s torrential rains inflicted considerable destruction, displacing families and leading to the death of 31,000 livestock, alongside the destruction of over 158,000 homes.

The floods in Niger during 2024 not only resulted in a tragic loss of life, with 400 reported fatalities and substantial injuries, but also left over 1.5 million individuals affected. The catastrophic impact of climate change, characterized by intensified extreme weather patterns, has led to severe flooding and infrastructural damage, raising urgent concerns for future resilience and preparedness in the region. Niger’s experience highlights the urgent need to address climate-related challenges effectively.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com