Afrigather It’s fascinating to consider how nursery rhymes replicate altering occasions and local weather situations. The rhyme “Rain, rain, go away, come once more one other day, little Johnny needs to play” is probably not as related now with the heatwaves taking place in some elements of the world. The intense temperatures we’re experiencing are certainly a results of local weather change. Rain is essential for agriculture and shaping ecosystems, however it additionally has its professionals and cons. It’s essential to think about the impression of climate patterns on the environment.
In April 2024, extreme thunderstorms struck the United Arab Emirates, resulting in heavy flooding in Dubai. Experiences indicated that Dubai skilled an unprecedented quantity of rainfall, equal to a yr and a half’s price, in just some hours.
Q: “Flood predictions and early warning methods are essential for managing flood dangers and minimising their impression on lives, properties, and infrastructure.”
Floods have brought on widespread damage in numerous nations, from China to Brazil, Kenya to Tanzania, the Philippines, India, and Indonesia. In Brazil, helicopters are getting used to seek for stranded people in closely affected areas, with some areas being too extreme for helicopters to land and residents needing to be winched to security.
In Nigeria, the Federal Authorities has notified 31 states and the Federal Capital Territory about potential flooding between April and November. Are these areas absolutely ready for the upcoming floods?
Flood predictions and early warning methods are essential for managing flood dangers and minimising their impression on lives, properties, and infrastructure. It is very important assess the readiness of infrastructural amenities and emergency response groups to successfully assist society throughout flooding occasions.
Are states ready to demolish buildings on flood channels, relocate residents, and clear drainages to stop flooding? The 2024 Annual Flood Outlook signifies that 148 native authorities areas in 31 states are at excessive danger of flooding, whereas one other 249 LGAs in 36 states and the FCT are at reasonable danger.
In 2022, the World Financial institution estimated the injury from flooding to residential and non-residential buildings, infrastructure, the productive sector, and farmlands at $6.68 billion. This yr, the excessive flood-risk areas are anticipated to expertise important impacts on the inhabitants, agriculture, livelihoods, livestock, infrastructure, and the atmosphere. Coastal flooding is anticipated in states like Lagos, Delta, Cross River, Ondo, Rivers, and Bayelsa attributable to rising sea ranges and tidal surges, doubtlessly affecting fishing, wildlife habitats, and river navigation.
Flooding is a typical pure catastrophe in lots of elements of the world, together with Nigeria, with extreme impacts on susceptible residents dwelling alongside river banks. The Nationwide Financial Council Advert-hoc Committee on Flood Mitigation, Adaptation, Preparedness, and Response has been inaugurated by the President to develop a roadmap for enhancing Nigeria’s flood mitigation, preparedness, adaptation, and response capabilities.
Many states have already carried out methods to mitigate the impression of flooding of their areas, together with elevated flood management measures and drainage upkeep. Lagos State and different states are additionally specializing in strong waste administration to stop flooding.
An excessive photo voltaic storm hits Earth:
In a associated growth, climate specialists have warned that the world will expertise probably the most highly effective photo voltaic storms in additional than 20 years, with potential disruptions to energy grids and satellite tv for pc communications. In a technology-dependent world, a geomagnetic storm of this nature may trigger widespread electrical disruptions, blackouts, and injury to crucial infrastructure.
Fluctuating magnetic fields related to geomagnetic storms induce currents in lengthy wires, together with energy traces, which may trigger blackouts. Whereas lengthy pipelines can develop into electrified, The newest geomagnetic storm, G5, which occurred someday this yr, was reported to have triggered energy outages in Sweden and broken transformers in South Africa. All businesses within the nation working energy crops and satellite tv for pc gadgets in orbit are to take the required precautions. Thanks.
MA Johnson, Rear Admiral (Rtd)
