Concept

2016 Niger flood

Résumé
Heavy rains during the months of June, July and August 2016 resulted in extreme flooding of various rivers throughout Niger, particularly the Niger River, where the floods caused material damage and loss of life in Niger and other countries along the river's path. Since 2000, flooding in Niger has intensified, with the most serious threats concentrated in the southwestern part of Niger and along the banks of the Niger River. Wetland degradation: The ecology of the Niger River has been devastated by various land use changes. There is not enough vegetation to retain water, making floods more likely during the rainy season. Global climate change: Increased seasonal rainstorms (various extreme weather effects). Cities in Niger have poor planning and have not been able to adapt to rapidly growing population changes. Drainage systems are approaching capacity, and many towns even lack drainage networks. Because of rapid population growth, residents have built houses without planning and organization. The dumping of garbage on the streets blocks surface runoff during heavy downpour events. Excessive upstream dam discharge: Large amounts of water are released during the rainstorm season. The water volume downstream of the river channel increases and the water level of the river rises. The worst affected regions were the desert areas of Tahoua in the west and Agadez in the north, and to a lesser extent, the region of Maradi. Extremely fast rise of the river levels were recorded. Within a week, a rise of 1.90 m was recorded in the Sirba station in Garbé Kourou. A station on the Gorouol River, a tributary of the Niger River, measured a rise of 2.9 m over a two-week period at the end of July, the highest river level recorded in over 50 years of the station's operation. Water levels continued to rise, reaching their highest mark on 6 September since 1964 in the Inner Niger Delta.
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