Floods in Côte d’Ivoire kill 59 since May amid regional rains

Floods in Côte d’Ivoire have killed 59 people since May, the communication minister told a cabinet meeting in Abidjan. Rescue teams continue to search for victims during the rainy season, which runs from May until July. The minister said the toll could rise further.

Regional impact In neighboring Ghana, at least 13 people have died and more than 400 others were rescued on Tuesday, the Ghana fire service said. The president posted on X that the downpour reached approximately 140mm of rain, higher than the highest single-day rainfall recorded last year.

Floods also hit parts of Benin, Togo and Nigeria, with no confirmed casualties. In Lagos, Nigeria, flooding halted operations at a transmission substation, disrupting electricity supply to several neighborhoods.

Contributing factors Officials say the floods have become deadlier as climate breakdown exacerbates the frequency and impact of extreme weather. The impact of poor waste management and urban population growth on existing infrastructure has also been acknowledged as a factor.

After an aerial tour of affected areas on Monday, the president explained that Accra was built between the Akwapim mountain range and the Atlantic Ocean. He said population growth and garbage dumping in drains have restricted water flow.