Scores killed, many displaced as flood wreaks havoc 

Torrential rainfall has triggered widespread flooding across several West African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Togo and Côte d’Ivoire, leaving dozens dead, destroying property and disrupting economic activities as authorities warn residents to remain vigilant.

In Ghana, at least 13 people were killed after heavy rainfall caused severe flooding in the capital, Accra, according to the BBC. The government has urged residents to remain indoors or relocate to higher ground as emergency responders continue rescue operations.

The BBC reported that Accra’s flooding has been worsened by inadequate drainage infrastructure, blocked gutters and the construction of illegal buildings on waterways.

Ghanaian President John Mahama described the 140 millimetres of rainfall recorded during the storm as the highest experienced in the country in several years.

“That aspect of the problem is beyond our control because it is driven by changing climatic conditions,” Mahama wrote on X.

Videos circulating on social media showed residents stranded on rooftops and fences while floodwaters submerged neighbourhoods. Several affected communities also experienced power outages.

In neighbouring Togo, continuous heavy rainfall has flooded parts of the capital, Lomé, affecting homes and businesses across several communities.

Côte d’Ivoire has also been hit hard by the downpour, with at least 12 people reported dead and five others injured in the commercial capital, Abidjan, following days of relentless rainfall.

Nigeria has also experienced severe flooding after days of heavy rain, with social media videos showing streets transformed into rivers, vehicles trapped in floodwaters and residents wading through waist-deep water to salvage belongings.

In Lagos, many motorists were stranded for hours as major roads became impassable following intense rainfall. Similar flooding was reported in parts of Oyo, Ogun and Osun states, disrupting transportation and commercial activities.

Some Lagos residents said they were unable to reopen their businesses because floodwaters had yet to recede.

A resident identified simply as James said his family spent the night lifting household items to prevent damage.

“We barely slept last night. My home was flooded, and we had to raise our mattress so it wouldn’t soak up water,” he said.

Experts say Lagos remains particularly vulnerable to flooding due to rapid urbanisation, indiscriminate construction and extensive land reclamation that have reduced wetlands and natural floodplains capable of absorbing excess rainwater.

The latest flooding has renewed concerns over Nigeria’s recurring flood crisis despite repeated warnings from weather and hydrological agencies.

Earlier this year, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), in its 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction, forecast above-normal rainfall, prolonged rainy seasons and heightened flood risks across many parts of the country.

The agency warned that flash floods were likely in several southern states, including Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Delta and Cross River.

Similarly, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), in its 2026 Annual Flood Outlook, identified 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory as being at risk of flooding during the rainy season.

The agency said more than 14,000 communities across 266 local government areas fall within high-risk flood zones, with the peak flooding period expected between July and September. Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Abia, Cross River and Delta were listed among the states most vulnerable to severe flooding.

Climate experts have linked the increasing frequency and intensity of flooding across Africa to climate change, warning that the continent remains one of the regions most vulnerable to extreme weather despite contributing the least to global greenhouse gas emissions.

They have called for increased investment in climate adaptation, improved drainage infrastructure, stronger early warning systems and greater international financial support to help African countries build resilience against climate-related disasters.

The call comes after negotiators at the recent United Nations climate talks in Bonn failed to agree on a new global adaptation finance framework ahead of the COP31 summit, with African countries seeking stronger financial commitments while developed nations pushed for further discussions on reporting mechanisms.

As West Africa grapples with devastating floods, Europe is simultaneously battling an intense heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in several countries, underscoring the growing global impac

t of extreme weather linked to climate change.