Deadly Heatwaves in West Africa: Climate Change Impact Revealed

Soaring temperatures in West Africa and the Sahel, including Mali, have led to hundreds of deaths, with climate change being attributed to human activities.

In Mali, temperatures surpassed 48°C last month, causing 102 deaths, particularly affecting older individuals.

A World Weather Attribution group study found that climate change increased temperatures in Mali and Burkina Faso by 1.5°C, with nights being 2°C hotter on average.

These heatwaves could become more common as global temperatures continue to rise. However, the severe drought in Southern Africa earlier this year is attributed more to the El Niño weather phenomenon than climate change.

Researchers suggest that El Niño, not climate change, primarily influenced low rainfall across the region from December to February.