Study Says Global Heating Made West Africa Floods 5 Times More Likely
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 16
Study Says Global Heating Made West Africa Floods 5 Times More Likely
2 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 16
Summary
World Weather Attribution said the late-June Gulf of Guinea deluge was five times more likely in today’s climate, linking last month’s deadly West African floods directly to human-caused warming.
More than 140 mm of rain fell in some cities in under a day, and the team said three-day downpours in the region have grown about 23% more intense since record-keeping began.
The 72-hour storm overwhelmed drainage systems across Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo and Nigeria, killing at least 34 people in Ghana and five in Togo while displacing thousands and forcing hundreds of rescues.
With global temperatures now about 1.4C above preindustrial levels, the researchers warned rainfall of similar scale could hit the Gulf of Guinea every two to four years, increasing pressure for adaptation and faster emissions cuts.
Is climate change the main culprit for Africa's deadly floods, or are failing cities equally to blame?
With climate finance often 'overstated', how can vulnerable nations secure the real funds needed for survival?
ExxonMobil reports lower emissions, yet climate disasters worsen. What does this reveal about corporate climate pledges?
The 2026 West African Floods: Causes, Consequences, and the Call for Climate Justice
Overview
In June and July 2026, catastrophic floods swept across West Africa, driven by increasingly intense rainfall and sea level rise that outpaced the global average. This combination greatly increased flood risks along the Gulf of Guinea coast, putting critical infrastructure and many urban centers in danger and causing widespread devastation. Ghana was among the hardest hit, with countless homes and vital roads submerged, leaving many areas inaccessible and residents trapped. Emergency services in Ghana were stretched beyond capacity, struggling to reach those in need, which highlighted the severe and immediate humanitarian crisis facing the region.