In 2024, Niger’s floods led to nearly 400 deaths and affected 1.5 million individuals due to extreme rainfall. Significant destruction occurred, including collapse of historic structures and displacements, highlighting the link between climate change and increasing flooding severity in the region. Damage to infrastructure delayed the school year and increased challenges for affected households.
Niger experienced severe flooding in 2024, resulting in nearly 400 fatalities and impacting over 1.5 million individuals, as reported by Interior Minister Mohamed Toumba. The floods, a consequence of exceptionally heavy rains from the previous year, caused significant displacement and destruction, affecting more than 200,000 households across the country.
The toll included 396 fatalities and 405 injuries, with the disaster also leading to the collapse of historic sites, such as the 19th-century mosque in Zinder. The southern regions, including Dosso, Maradi, Zinder, and the western Tahoua region were particularly affected, receiving record rainfall up to 200% above normal levels.
The prolonged rainy season, lasting from June to September, exacerbated existing conditions in the Sahel region, where drought-stricken soil struggled to absorb the excessive water. Consequently, infrastructure, such as roads in the capital Niamey, was severely damaged, isolating the city temporarily from the rest of the country, and delaying the start of the school year to October 28 due to damage to schools used as shelters.
Overall, the flooding resulted in significant losses, including the destruction of over 158,000 homes and the death of 31,000 livestock. Scientists attribute the increasing frequency of such extreme weather events to climate change stemming from human activities, linking it to the rise in torrential rains and prolonged droughts experienced in the region.
The floods in Niger in 2024 have had devastating effects, claiming nearly 400 lives and affecting over 1.5 million people. With significant infrastructural damage and displacement of communities, the event underscores the impact of climate change on extreme weather patterns in the region. The consequences of this disaster highlight the urgent need for strategies to mitigate the effects of climate-related disasters.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
