In Niger, nearly 400 people died and over 1.5 million were affected by floods caused by last year’s heavy rains. The adverse effects of climate change have intensified these extreme weather events. The destruction includes significant damage to homes, schools, and historical sites, prompting a delay in the school year as recovery efforts continue.
According to a final toll disclosed on Saturday, nearly 400 individuals have perished in Niger due to floods instigated by last year’s unusually heavy rainfall, impacting over 1.5 million others. “Floods caused the deaths of 396 people during the course of 2024,” stated Interior Minister Mohamed Toumba. Additionally, 405 individuals sustained injuries, and more than 200,000 households were directly affected, encompassing a total of 1,526,653 people.
The adverse effects of climate change, exacerbated by human-induced fossil fuel emissions, have been linked to the rising frequency and severity of extreme weather conditions, including heavy rains and prolonged droughts. The severe droughts afflicting Africa’s Sahel region have heightened the flooding situation, as the dry and hardened earth struggles to absorb moisture during rain events. The torrential rains of the past year, which occurred from June to September, even reached the arid northern regions near the Sahara.
Particularly in Agadez, which serves as a gateway to the desert, the UNESCO-listed historic old town and the 16th-century Grand Mosque suffered considerable damage. The national weather office reported that certain regions of Niger experienced rainfall exceeding previous annual averages by up to 200 percent. The southern regions of Dosso, Maradi, Zinder, and the western region of Tahoua were deemed especially affected by the flooding crisis.
In Zinder, catastrophic rains resulted in the collapse of a 19th-century mud brick mosque, a notable site following the Agadez Mosque in tourist visits. Furthermore, the capital city of Niamey was temporarily isolated due to road damage caused by the continued rainfall. Damage sustained by schools, which had been repurposed as shelters for numerous displaced individuals, compelled the military junta to postpone the commencement of the school year by almost a month until October 28.
The destruction caused by last year’s rains resulted in the loss of over 158,000 homes, as well as the fatalities of 31,000 livestock, underscoring the extensive impact of these flooding events.
In conclusion, Niger has faced significant challenges due to the floods of 2024, which resulted in nearly 400 fatalities and affected over 1.5 million residents. The crisis is a stark reminder of the implications of climate change and the urgent need for effective disaster management strategies. As the nation struggles to recover, the impact on infrastructure, agriculture, and the education sector remains a pressing concern.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
