Tragic flooding and landslides triggered by days of torrential rainfall have claimed dozens of lives in Ivory Coast and Ghana, with authorities reporting at least 24 deaths in the latest wave of extreme weather.
In Ivory Coast, more than a dozen people lost their lives, primarily in the capital Abidjan’s Attécoubé and Yopougon municipalities, where heavy rains caused buildings to collapse and trapped residents under rubble. The country has recorded at least 59 flood-related deaths since mid-May this year.
In neighbouring Ghana, at least 12 people have been confirmed dead following severe flooding in parts of Accra and other areas, with thousands displaced and extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, and markets. Emergency services continue search and rescue operations as waters remain high in several communities.
The heavy rainfall has overwhelmed drainage systems in urban centres, exacerbating vulnerabilities in rapidly growing cities and highlighting the impacts of climate change on West Africa’s rainy season.
Local authorities in both countries, alongside emergency response teams, are providing relief materials, temporary shelter, and medical support to affected populations. The governments have called for calm and urged residents in flood-prone areas to heed evacuation warnings and avoid high-risk zones.
This regional disaster underscores the urgent need for improved climate resilience, better urban planning, and strengthened early warning systems across West Africa.
The thoughts and prayers of the international community are with the families of the victims and all those affected by this tragedy.