Human-induced climate change has intensified the deadly floods that have ravaged parts of Africa this year, according to a study published on Wednesday.
These floods, which have claimed hundreds of lives and displaced millions in countries such as Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Nigeria, and Sudan, have caused widespread devastation, particularly in the Sahel region bordering the Sahara Desert.
The World Weather Attribution (WWA) network of scientists conducted the study and found that global warming, driven by the burning of fossil fuels, had worsened the flooding, particularly in Sudan. The researchers estimate that climate change made the heavy rains between five and 20 percent more intense across the Niger and Lake Chad basins.
This aligns with findings from a similar study on last year’s flooding in the region.
Clair Barnes, from the Centre for Environmental Policy at Imperial College London, warned that the situation could become more frequent if global temperatures rise by two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. "This is only going to keep getting worse if we keep burning fossil fuels," she said, noting that such extreme downpours could become an annual occurrence.
The study highlighted that climate change's impact is not limited to rising temperatures but also includes more intense rainfall and storms.
Researchers identified a direct connection between this year's extreme rainfall and global warming, particularly in Sudan, where ongoing conflict has forced millions of people into flood-prone areas. By using weather models, the study concluded that month-long periods of heavy rainfall in Sudan have become more intense and frequent due to climate change, now expected about once every three years.
Izidine Pinto, a co-author of the study from the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, expressed concern over these findings, emphasizing that with each fraction of a degree of warming, the risk of extreme floods will continue to rise. He urged world leaders to expedite the transition away from fossil fuels during the upcoming COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan.
The floods have also underscored the urgent need for a global loss and damage fund to support nations most affected by climate change, according to Joyce Kimutai from Imperial College London. Despite Africa’s minimal contribution to global carbon emissions, the continent is being hit hardest by extreme weather, making the call for international support even more critical.
In addition to climate change, the study pointed out that human-made issues such as poor dam maintenance and inadequate early warning systems have exacerbated the flood crisis. Researchers stressed the importance of improving infrastructure and preparedness to reduce the impact of future flooding disasters.