Why Liberia might relocate its capital city Monrovia

Here is a look at what is causing recurrent flooding in Monrovia.

Why does Monrovia get flooded repeatedly?

The primary reason is rising sea levels. In the West Point slum of Monrovia alone, sea level rise and coastal erosion displaced more than 6,500 people, and destroyed 800 houses between 2013 and 2018.

By 2030, the Greater Monrovia District — it contains the capital city Monrovia — is expected to witness a sea level rise of 16 cm, according to a 2021 report by the World Bank. This would put nearly 675,000 people and 9,500 hectares of land at risk.

The problem that Monrovia is facing is a global issue. The global sea level has risen by about 8–9 inches or 21–24 centimetres since 1880. But the more worrying sign is that since 1993, the rate of increase has been accelerating. It has more than doubled from 0.07 inches or 0.18 centimetres per year in 1993 to the current rate of 0.17 inches or 0.42 centimetres per year.

And what is driving sea level rise?

It is global warming. As temperatures across the world continue to soar, more and more glaciers and ice sheets are melting and adding water to the ocean. Global warming is also making the ocean warmer, which is leading to something called thermal expansion — when water becomes warmer, it expands in volume. This is contributing to sea level rise as well.

In the following years, further global warming will give way to other issues for Liberia as well. Projections show that the frequency of intense rainfall will spike in the country, which will contribute to flooding.

It could also lead to more intense storm surges — the rise in seawater level caused solely by a storm — flooding, and damage to coastal areas. That’s because higher sea level can allow more water inland during hurricane-related storm surges.