Increasing Devastating Flood Events in West Africa: Who is to Blame?

Abstract

In recent years, climate change has become a major worldwide concern. Among its different manifestations in West Africa, flood events are the most devastating. This chapter pulls out the main causes of floods in West Africa from recently published research with the aim of serving as a guide in defining paramount actions to be taken to address flood issues in the region. Inadequate urban planning, poor land management and land occupation, especially in populated areas, amplify climate change impacts and increase flood risk. The situation is likely to worsen in the future. The effectiveness of current adaptation and mitigation measures is analysed and recommendations on possible follow-up actions are given. Given that the cost of inaction might exceed the cost of taking early action, this chapter launches an appeal for concrete actions for flood impacts mitigation in West Africa.