Heavy rains continue to flood northeastern Nigeria. On September 10, the Alau dam in Borno State burst, causing a massive flood that affected nearly a million people.
The dam was located just 6 miles from Maiduguri, and water quickly rushed into the city at night. Many residents were trapped, waking up in flooded homes. Around 70% of the city ended up underwater. At least five communities were impacted, with businesses and schools paralyzed. The water destroyed many homes and wiped out crops in suburban areas.
The situation worsens as the water has eroded cemeteries, landfills, and sewage systems. As of September 11, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported 30 deaths, with people still searching for missing relatives. About 400,000 people have been forced to leave their homes.
The flood also wiped out more than 80% of the animals in the city's main zoo. Various animals, including ostriches, snakes, and crocodiles, escaped from damaged enclosures, posing an additional threat to already struggling residents.
Similar disasters are occurring around the world. This is due to rising ocean temperatures. As the ocean warms, more moisture evaporates. The vapor rises into the atmosphere, where it condenses and falls as heavy rain. Therefore, the amount of water falling on land will increase proportionally to ocean warming.
But there is good news — scientists have already developed technologies to effectively reduce atmospheric moisture. Their widespread adoption could help reduce the frequency and intensity of destructive disasters, giving humanity more time to find a solution to prevent the looming global climate crisis.
More information on this can be found in the popular documentary film: "Water From Air: The Path to Saving Humanity."