Deadly Floods in Côte d’Ivoire and Across West Africa
Floods in Côte d’Ivoire have claimed 59 lives since May, according to Communication Minister Amadou Coulibaly, speaking at a cabinet meeting in Abidjan. The toll may rise as rescue teams search for victims during the rainy season, which runs from May to July.
The deaths are part of a broader pattern across coastal West Africa, where relentless rains have caused devastation. Authorities predict the downpours could intensify in the coming days. Social media footage shows submerged neighbourhoods as residents wade through floodwaters seeking safety.
Ghana’s Flood Casualties and Record Rainfall
In neighbouring Ghana, at least 13 people have died, with over 400 rescued on Tuesday, the Ghana fire service reported. President John Mahama posted on X that rainfall reached approximately 140mm, far exceeding last year’s highest single-day record of about 56mm.
Authorities attribute the deadlier floods to climate change, which exacerbates extreme weather frequency and impact. The World Meteorological Organisation notes that Africa, despite minimal greenhouse gas emissions, is particularly vulnerable to such events.
Poor waste management and urban population growth also strain infrastructure. After an aerial tour of affected areas, Mahama explained that Accra, built between the Akwapim mountain range and the Atlantic Ocean, faces challenges as the city expands. "As the population continues to increase and people continue to build, it restricts the path of the streams on the way to the Atlantic … there is also human behaviour [of] dumping garbage in the drains … Even in the air, we discovered many illicit dumping sites where wetlands are," he said.
Impact on Infrastructure and Neighbouring Countries
In Accra and nearby Tema, rains submerged buildings and roads, cutting off access. Some areas saw fires after electrical installations were flooded. Floods also hit parts of Benin, Togo, and Nigeria, though no casualties have been confirmed. In Lagos, Nigeria, flooding halted operations at a transmission substation, disrupting electricity supply to several neighbourhoods.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted "above normal" rainfall in Abuja and nine states this year, including some northern states that experienced the worst flood in 60 years last year. Between December and February, southern and northern Africa also suffered deadly floods.
