A study by the World Weather Attribution Group revealed that human-caused climate change made the humid heatwave in Southern West Africa during February ten times more likely.

According to the report, the burning of fossil fuels, including oil, gas, and coal, as well as deforestation, has contributed to making heatwaves more frequent, longer, and hotter around the world.

This can contribute to global warming, and push temperatures to rise to 2°C above preindustrial levels.

The release warned that if this should continue West Africa would continue to experience even hotter and more frequent humid heatwaves heatwaves once every two years.

“In February, West Africa was hit by an unusually intense humid heatwave with temperatures not normally seen until March or April. The most severe heat occurred from February 11-15 with temperatures above 40°C.

"In Nigeria, doctors reported an increase in patients presenting for heat-related illness, people complained of poor sleep due to hot nights and the National Meteorological Agency issued several warnings about the heat.

“In Ghana, the national meteorological agency also warned people to prepare for dangerous temperatures. The heat occurred during the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations football tournament in Côte d'Ivoire.

"Due to the hot and humid conditions, additional ‘cooling breaks’ were taken during the matches so players could rehydrate. February this year was the hottest February on record globally and the ninth consecutive month in a row that a hottest month record was broken,” the report added.

Meanwhile, the report advised that developing heat action plans will help protect vulnerable people from dangerous heatwaves in West Africa.

Read the full report below: