Weather tracker: Nigeria hit by deadly flooding described as worst in 60 years
GuardianJUN 2
The catastrophic flooding in Mokwa is a clear consequence of climate change and inadequate infrastructure. Communities in northern Nigeria have been experiencing prolonged dry spells followed by excessive rainfall, making flooding events 80 times more likely and 20% more intense. Critical flood-control infrastructure is long overdue, and the lack of proper drainage systems has amplified the disaster's impact.
The flooding disaster stems from natural seasonal patterns rather than systemic failures. Nigeria regularly experiences flooding during its wet season, and Mokwa's location near the River Niger makes it particularly vulnerable. The sudden and intense nature of this flood was unprecedented, catching a community unaccustomed to such severe flooding off guard, suggesting this was an exceptional natural disaster rather than a preventable tragedy.
There's a 1% chance that if a global climate disaster occurs by 2100, the Earth's human population will decline by 95% or more, according to the Metaculus prediction community.