The Niger River Niamey flood of 2012: The paroxysm of the Sahelian paradox?; [La crue de 2012 à Niamey: Un paroxysme du paradoxe du Sahel?]

During the 2012 monsoon, the Middle Niger River exhibited the highest flood ever registered from the beginning of its monitoring in1929. Large areas were flooded, including parts of the city of Niamey. This flooding was due to the combination of an increase in runoff coefficient observed in the Sahelian basin, linked to soil crusting, and an exceptionally high amount of rainfall. Indeed, it was the highest observed since the beginning of the drought in 1968. Due to the level of damage, policy makers should be made aware of the increase in discharges, which is increasing the risk of flooding. Copyright © 2007 John Libbey Eurotext - Tous droits réservés.