Flooding Crisis Devastates West and Central Africa Leaving Over 1,000 Dead and Hundreds of Thousands Displaced

A catastrophic wave of flooding has swept through West and Central Africa, resulting in the deaths of over 1,000 people and displacing hundreds of thousands. The flooding, caused by torrential rains, has notably affected countries such as Chad, Nigeria, Mali, and Niger, with the United Nations reporting that more than 4 million people have been impacted this year—a threefold increase compared to 2023.

The devastation is particularly severe in Nigeria, where at least 230 fatalities have been reported, alongside significant losses in Niger, Chad, and Mali.

Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State in Nigeria, is one of the hardest-hit cities. Local residents experienced the sudden onset of flooding, with Saleh Bukar recalling being awakened by cries for help. Tragically, many elderly individuals and those with disabilities were unable to escape the rapidly rising waters, leading to immediate fatalities.

The harrowing story of Aishatu Ba’agana, a mother who lost track of her new baby amid the chaos, underscores the human toll of this disaster, as she and many others were forced to abandon their homes and loved ones.

Local authorities reported that about 15% of Maiduguri remains submerged, and predictions indicate that further rainfall is on the horizon. The floods have displaced at least 600,000 residents in Borno alone, while significant infrastructure damage has occurred, including the collapse of key bridges and the destruction of a dam that released an enormous volume of water into the city.

The floods also devastated local wildlife, leading to the death of around 80% of the animals at the Borno State Museum Park and allowing several reptiles to escape.

As recovery efforts are underway, Governor Babagana Zulum has appealed for international assistance, emphasizing that local resources are inadequate for the scale of the disaster. Amid this turmoil, individuals like Bukar, who has become a volunteer despite being displaced himself, reflect the community’s resilience and urgent need for support.

In Niger, similarly dire conditions have left over 841,000 people affected, with many families like Harira Adamou’s struggling in temporary shelters after losing their homes.

Experts warn that such extreme weather events may become more frequent in Africa due to climate change, despite the continent’s low contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions.

The World Meteorological Organization has estimated that the cost of adapting to these changes in sub-Saharan Africa could reach $30-50 billion annually over the next decade, with projections suggesting that up to 118 million Africans could be affected by extreme weather by 2030.

This growing vulnerability highlights the urgent need for both local and international action to address climate resilience and disaster preparedness in the region.