ABIDJAN: Floods and landslides killed at least 24 people in 10 days in Abidjan, Ivory Coast’s economic capital, authorities said Monday after an unusually intense start to the rainy season.
The National Office for Civil Protection (ONPC) reported that torrential rains between June 13 and June 22 caused a dramatic increase in water levels and triggered landslides across Abidjan. The downpours, which were around four times heavier than normal, overwhelmed the city’s infrastructure and led to devastating consequences.
“The situation is extremely serious with 24 deaths recorded due to the floods and landslides,” the ONPC stated, highlighting the risk of further casualties from collapsed buildings and ongoing search efforts for two persons swept away by floodwaters.
Initial reports from the fire service on June 15 indicated eight fatalities, but the toll has tragically risen due to continued adverse weather conditions.
According to the national meteorological service Sodexam, Abidjan experienced approximately a quarter of its expected three-month rainy season’s precipitation in just 24 hours. In Yopougon, a commune within Abidjan, rainfall reached 214 millimetres (8.4 inches) in a single day, far surpassing the normal average of 50 millimetres (two inches).
The city, home to nearly six million people, frequently grapples with severe flooding despite government efforts to mitigate risks through urban cleanup initiatives. Many of Abidjan’s residents, particularly those in impoverished communities, reside in flood-prone areas where makeshift dwellings are vulnerable to natural disasters.
In 2023, over 30 people died in flooding and other incidents linked to heavy rains in the West African country.
