The rainy season, which runs from May until July, has become increasingly deadly across West Africa. In Ivory Coast, floods have killed at least 59 people since May, according to government spokesperson Amadou Coulibaly. Speaking after a cabinet meeting in Abidjan on Wednesday, Coulibaly stated that rescue teams continue to search for victims and authorities fear the death toll could rise.
Neighboring Ghana has also been severely affected by heavy rains, with reports of at least 12 to 13 deaths. Flooding has impacted large parts of the country, including the capital, Accra. Additionally, floods have hit Benin, Togo, and Nigeria.
The most severe downpours occurred this past Sunday and Monday, contributing to a total of at least 71 deaths across Ivory Coast and Ghana over the last few days. Although the rainy season has only just begun, flooding has already killed dozens in the Ivory Coast.