Relentless rainy season floods have killed 59 people in Côte d'Ivoire and 13 in Ghana since May, according to reports.
Heavy downpours have submerged neighborhoods, infrastructure, and electricity stations across coastal West Africa.
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Death Toll and Rescue Efforts
Communication Minister Amadou Coulibaly announced the updated death toll during a cabinet meeting in Abidjan. Rescue teams are still searching for victims.
In Ghana, rescue teams saved over 400 individuals on Tuesday after a severe storm delivered approximately 140mm of rain.
President John Mahama conducted an aerial inspection of the damage in Accra, where flooded electrical systems triggered fires and cut off access to neighborhoods.
Mahama noted that the rainfall was significantly higher than the highest single-day rainfall recorded last year, which was about 56mm.
Infrastructure and Environmental Concerns
President Mahama highlighted the ecological and structural vulnerabilities of the capital city. He explained that urban growth has blocked natural waterways that lead to the ocean.
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“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 added.
Regional Impact
The torrential rains have also impacted Benin, Togo, and Nigeria, causing significant infrastructural damage without confirmed casualties.
In Lagos, Nigeria, extreme weather forced a transmission substation to halt operations, cutting power to multiple islands and mainland districts.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency predicted above-normal rainfall for Abuja and nine other states later this year. Authorities express concern as the current rainy season continues through July.
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The World Meteorological Organisation stated that Africa remains highly vulnerable to extreme weather events exacerbated by climate breakdown.
