Floods and Landslides Kill Dozens in Ghana and Ivory Coast After Heavy Rainfall

At least dozens of people have died after days of heavy rainfall triggered severe flooding and landslides in Ghana and Ivory Coast.

In Ghana’s capital, Accra, the National Fire Service confirmed that at least 12 people had died, while officials warned that the number could rise as several people remain missing.

The heavy rains, which began on Monday, submerged homes and roads across the city, leaving many residents stranded. Emergency teams carried out rescue operations throughout the night, with more than 400 people rescued and several homes pumped free of floodwater.

Ghana’s disaster management authorities said emergency calls started early in the morning as residents reported floodwaters entering their houses.

In Ivory Coast, heavy rainfall that started on Saturday also caused deaths and widespread damage. Officials have not released an official death toll, but sources close to emergency services said around 20 people may have died.

Ghana’s Interior Minister Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak admitted that the government’s response could have been improved and expressed sympathy to families who lost loved ones.

President John Mahama said preliminary figures showed that Accra received about 140 millimetres of rain, far above last year’s highest daily rainfall of about 56 millimetres.

He blamed the disaster partly on changing climate conditions and human activities such as illegal structures blocking waterways. Authorities have warned residents to prepare for more rainfall in the coming days.I can also convert it into a short breaking-news style or Hausa news format if you want.

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