Niger’s 2024 Floods Result in 396 Deaths and Affect 1.5 Million People

Niger’s floods in 2024 caused 396 deaths and affected 1.5 million people, with significant damage to infrastructure and homes. The catastrophic rainfall was attributed to climate change. Regions like Dosso, Zinder, and Niamey were notably impacted, with educational institutions forced to delay the school year due to the destruction.

In 2024, Niger experienced devastating floods that resulted in nearly 400 fatalities, with the final death toll reported at 396, as stated by Interior Minister Mohamed Toumba. The floods also injured 405 individuals and affected approximately 1.5 million people across more than 200,000 households, highlighting the extensive impact of the disaster on the nation.

The catastrophic weather was attributed to exceptionally heavy rains during the previous year, a phenomenon increasingly linked to climate change caused by human fossil fuel emissions. This has led to heightened occurrences of extreme weather events, which now include severe floods, exacerbated by ongoing drought conditions in Africa’s Sahel region.

Regions such as Dosso, Maradi, Zinder, and Tahoua faced the most significant devastation, with some areas reporting rainfall increases of up to 200 percent compared to previous years. Historic sites like the UNESCO-listed old town of Agadez and the 19th-century mosque in Zinder suffered considerable damage, significantly impacting cultural heritage.

The flooding also disrupted daily life in Niamey, the capital, by damaging roads and cutting off the city from the rest of the country temporarily. The extensive damage to educational institutions compelled the military junta to postpone the school year, which was rescheduled to commence on October 28. Moreover, the floods caused the destruction of over 158,000 homes and the loss of 31,000 livestock, portraying the magnitude of the disaster’s toll on the community.

The severe floods in Niger during 2024 resulted in significant loss of life and widespread destruction, affecting over 1.5 million people. This disaster underscores the compounded effects of climate change and severe weather patterns in the region. Restoration efforts and the need for resilient infrastructure are critical in addressing the aftermath and preventing future crises.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com