At least 59 killed in Ivory Coast floods since rainy season began, government says

At least 59 people have died in flooding across the Ivory Coast since the start of the rainy season in mid-May, the government said on Thursday, July 2, after days of heavy rain triggered deadly flooding and landslides in Abidjan.

Authorities urged residents to stay away from flood-prone areas as forecasts from the national meteorological service, SODEXAM, indicate that significant rainfall is expected to continue during the current rainy season.

Government spokesperson Amadou Coulibaly announced the updated death toll following a Council of Ministers meeting held on Wednesday, July 1, at the Presidential Palace in Abidjan-Plateau, saying the number could rise as assessments continue. The figure represents the cumulative impact of flooding since mid-May rather than a single weather event.

“Regarding the flooding we have experienced, particularly the tragic events of last Monday, the Council notes with deep regret a particularly high death toll of 59 people this year, even though we are only at the beginning of the rainy season,” Coulibaly said.

Many of the recent fatalities occurred after heavy rainfall struck Abidjan in late June, causing widespread flooding, landslides, and structural collapses across several communes.

Attécoubé was among the hardest-hit areas, particularly the Mossikro neighborhood, where a landslide destroyed homes and caused multiple deaths and injuries.

“The highest toll was recorded in the municipality of Attécoubé, with around 20 deaths, where residents unfortunately returned to sites from which they had previously been relocated,” Coulibaly said.

Flooding also affected Yopougon, Cocody, Bingerville, Songon, and Treichville, where inundated roads, fallen trees, debris, and damaged structures disrupted transportation and daily life.

Authorities have not yet released nationwide assessments covering damaged homes, displaced residents, or economic losses.

Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé later chaired a government meeting focused on flood preparedness and response. According to official government communications, ministries were instructed to strengthen preventive measures as forecasts from SODEXAM pointed to continued heavy rainfall and an elevated flood risk during the remainder of the rainy season.

Coulibaly urged residents living in high-risk areas to comply with government safety instructions and accept relocation orders when requested.

“The government deeply regrets all these deaths and extends its condolences to the families of the victims, while wishing those injured a speedy recovery. The government calls on the population to comply with all prescribed safety measures, particularly by leaving areas identified as being at risk,” Coulibaly said.

Authorities continue response and damage-assessment operations while monitoring conditions across affected areas.

Meanwhile, in the neighboring country, Ghana, 12 people died, and around 500 were rescued after heavy rainfall flooded parts of Ghana’s Greater Accra Region on Monday.

References:

¹ Rains 2026: Government reports 59 deaths to date and urges the public to follow safety guidelines – Government of Ivory Coast – July 2, 2026

Rishav Kothari

I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.

• Rishav Kothari

  Typhoon Bavi forecast to approach the Mariana Islands as a Category 5 super typhoon
• Rishav Kothari

  Dangerous heat wave continues into July 4 as record temperatures spread across the eastern U.S.
• Rishav Kothari

  Strong and shallow M6.1 earthquake hits Southwestern Ryukyu Islands, Japan
• Rishav Kothari

  Strong M6.2 earthquake hits Halmahera, Indonesia