Mega-storms the size of England are increasingly savaging countries across the Sahel, a five-year project backed by the UK government has found. Already a troubled region, the Sahel – which hugs the Saharan desert from Senegal to Eritrea – has seen a threefold increase in mega-storms over the last 35 years. They can grow as high as 16km, satellite images show. In an attempt to mitigate the impact of the storms researchers, funded by the Department for International Development (Dfid), are working with city planners and officials to identify the areas most at risk. “Unpredictable and devastating weather threatens the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people,” said Penny Mordaunt, International Development Secretary.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 21, 2019 17:44 UTC