Disaster struck in Abidjan, the largest city in Ivory Coast as continuous and heavy rainfall over more than 10 days results in the deaths of at least 24 people, authorities reported on Monday.
The rainy season began with an unusual and catastrophic amount of rainfall from Thursday, June 13 to Saturday, June 22. The torrential rain caused water levels to rise and triggered landslides.
The National Office for Civil Protection (ONPC) confirmed 24 deaths, and two more people are missing after being swept away by the waters.
Many poorer residents live in shacks located in flood-prone areas, despite the government’s mass clean-up policy aimed at demolishing shanty towns.
In 2023, at least 30 people died in flooding and other incidents related to heavy rains in the West African nation.
