This year’s rainy season, which stretches from May through late July, has turned deadly, with at least 59 fatalities reported thus far, according to government spokesperson Amadou Coulibaly. During a recent Cabinet meeting, Coulibaly announced that search and rescue operations in the hardest-hit flood zones are ongoing, raising concerns that the number of casualties may increase.
In Abidjan, the capital, floods have claimed 10 lives within a mere 48 hours. The rapid expansion of large informal settlements, fueled by urban growth, has left these areas particularly susceptible to flooding. However, Coulibaly noted that no fatalities occurred in areas where residents adhered to government safety directives and chose to relocate.
The impact of severe flooding extends beyond Ivory Coast, with neighboring Ghana and other regions also reporting fatalities attributed to the relentless rains.
