Cape Verde reels from deadly floods as climate alarm sounds
The Cape Verdean government has declared a state of emergency for São Vicente and Santo Antão islands following catastrophic flash floods that claimed nine lives and displaced 1,500 residents. Tropical Storm Erin unleashed 193mm of rainfall within five hours nearly triple São Vicente’s annual average exposing critical gaps in the archipelago’s climate preparedness.
Deputy PM Olavo Correia described scenes of “panic and despair” as torrents swept away homes and infrastructure. Meteorologists confirm the unprecedented deluge exceeded 30-year rainfall records, while admitting the nation lacks advanced radar systems to predict such extreme weather.
With search operations ongoing, Cape Verde’s global diaspora has mobilized emergency crowdfunding from Europe and North America. The floods have reignited debates about climate vulnerability in small island states, coming just months after the UN warned of West Africa’s intensifying extreme weather patterns.
As repair crews assess damage, the disaster underscores the urgent need for upgraded forecasting technology and climate-resilient infrastructure in the Atlantic archipelago. President José Maria Neves is expected to appeal for international assistance during this week’s emergency parliamentary session.
Source: bbc.com
