Malians struggle to cope after deadly heatwave
- Mali is ill-equipped to cope with heatwaves and frequently suffers from electricity cuts, making it difficult to rely on fans or air conditioners
- Such heatwaves are set to intensify because of climate change, caused by greenhouse gas emissions, a study has shown
In Mali’s capital Bamako, Aboubacar Pamateck runs a scarf under a trickle of water and wraps it around his head to cope with the West African nation’s soaring heat.
Africa’s Sahel region experienced a deadly heatwave in early April, exceptional both in terms of duration and intensity.
“I drink a lot of water and wear my turban, which I often get wet,” Pamateck said. “I even avoid wearing nylon boubous. I prefer to wear small cotton boubous to avoid the heat.”
From April 1 to April 5, temperatures in Mali exceeded 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) and peaked at a record 48.5 degrees in the western city of Kayes.
A few days later, the thermometer fell back to a more familiar but still difficult 43 degrees at midday in the shade in Bamako.
As the sun beats down on the capital’s streets, residents suffocate in airborne dust.
“It is very difficult in this heat,” said a motorbike taxi driver, Ousmane Diarra. “But we have to work like this.”
Ranked among the poorest countries in the world, Mali is ill-equipped to cope with heatwaves.