Ivory Coast: At least 5 people have been killed in floods in Abidjan

Firefighters gathered Tuesday in several neighborhoods of the Ivorian economic capital affected by heavy rains, announcing on Tuesday that at least five people, including four children, had died in floods following heavy rains in Abidjan.

“We have been called since 3am (5am Swiss time). Unfortunately 5 people including 4 children were killed. The children died in the landslide and the adults were swept away by the water, ”General Issa Sacco, commander of the fire department, told AFP.

Eighty-five people have been “kept safe” and one has been discharged to hospital, with deaths set in the town of Pinkerville in Abidjan, he added. “I have nothing at home. The water has washed everything away. We have nothing to wear and nothing to eat. Our files and swords, everything is gone. This is not the first time. But this time it was overflowing, ”Jiahe, Bryce, who lives in Fingerville, told AFP.

Heavy rains lashed Abidjan overnight, flooding many neighborhoods and rendering several major roads impassable. It rained continuously during the day on Tuesday.

Between Monday and Tuesday afternoon, parts of Abidjan received nearly 200mm of rain, which is equivalent to several weeks of rain, according to data from the Ivory Meteorological Agency’s Sodexam, in conjunction with the French company HD-Rain.

Since early morning, residents of upper and working class cities have been calling for help by posting photos and videos on social media showing their flooded homes or neighborhoods. Last week, six people were killed in a landslide in the Mosikro area of ​​western Abidjan, again after a night of heavy rain.

The scene of catastrophic flooding repeats itself following heavy rains in the largest Ivory city.

Buildings in flood-prone areas, mostly inhabited by poor people, are popping up in this West African metropolis with a population of over five million, which continues to grow. In June 2018, 18 people died due to heavy rains in Abidjan. In June 2020, 13 more people died in the landslide.

The heart of the rainy season, this city has a tropical climate, with June traditionally receiving year-round rainfall, with an average rainfall of about 300 mm. C டிte d’Ivoire is set to host the African Nations Cup in June 2023, much to the dismay of many spectators.