West Africa Reels as Torrential Rains Kill 24 in Ghana and Ivory Coast

West Africa is grappling with a devastating flood emergency after days of relentless rainfall triggered severe flooding and landslides across Ghana and Ivory Coast , leaving at least 24 people dead and forcing emergency teams into large scale rescue operations.

The heaviest impact was felt in the capitals Accra and Abidjan , where overflowing drains, submerged roads and rising floodwaters brought normal life to a standstill. Authorities continued rescue efforts on Tuesday, with hundreds of stranded residents being evacuated from flooded homes and buildings.

In Ghana , officials confirmed 12 deaths , including a mother and her child , who were swept away by powerful floodwaters in the Achimota Agbogbloshie area of Accra. Flooding also spread to the neighbouring city of Tema , where roads disappeared under water, making access to several communities nearly impossible.

According to the Ghana National Fire Service , emergency teams struggled to reach affected neighbourhoods because many roads had become impassable. The situation became so severe that rescue personnel sought assistance from the military to evacuate stranded residents and deliver emergency aid.

Videos shared from Accra captured the scale of the disaster, showing residents wading through neck deep water to rescue neighbours while abandoned vehicles lined flooded streets. Several communities remained partially submerged even after rainfall eased.

The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) said emergency calls began flooding its control rooms early Monday morning as residents reported water rapidly entering their homes. Officials described the situation as one of the worst flooding episodes seen this rainy season.

Meanwhile, neighbouring Ivory Coast also suffered heavy losses after several days of continuous rainfall. Authorities reported that more than a dozen people were killed, with the worst affected areas being the municipalities of Attécoubé and Yopougon in Abidjan .

Local media reported that at least nine victims lost their lives after being trapped beneath collapsed structures in the Mossikro neighbourhood, where rain soaked the ground for several days before triggering structural failures.

Emergency services continued clearing debris and searching affected areas for survivors while providing assistance to displaced families.

Weather officials in Ghana have warned that the danger is far from over. The Ghana Meteorological Agency has forecast more rainfall over Accra in the coming days and urged residents living in flood prone areas to remain alert and follow official safety advisories.

The disaster once again highlights Africa's growing vulnerability to extreme weather events . Experts have repeatedly warned that although the continent contributes only a small share of global greenhouse gas emissions, it faces some of the world's harshest climate related disasters. Increasingly intense rainfall, floods and storms continue to threaten lives, infrastructure and livelihoods across several African nations, underlining the urgent need for stronger disaster preparedness and climate resilience measures.