Skip linksSkip to Content
play
Live
Navigation menu
  • News
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • US & Canada
    • Latin America
    • Europe
    • Asia Pacific
  • Middle East
  • Explained
  • Opinion
  • Sport
  • Video
    • Features
    • Economy
    • Human Rights
    • Climate Crisis
    • Investigations
    • Interactives
    • In Pictures
    • Science & Technology
    • Podcasts
play
Live

In Pictures

Gallery|Climate Crisis

Cleanup follows deadly flooding in Ivory Coast’s Abidjan

At least 18 people killed as flash floods raged through parts of the country’s major urban centre.

Ivory Coast Flooding Aftermath of flooding in Abidjan
At least 18 people were reportedly killed in Abidjan and two others in the provinces following the flooding. [Sia Kambou/AFP]
Published On 22 Jun 201822 Jun 2018
facebooktwitterwhatsappcopylink

The cleanup is continuing in Ivory Coast’s southern city of Abidjan after torrential rain caused deadly flash flooding.

According to the country’s interior minister, Sidiki Diakite, 18 people died on Monday as flash floods raged through parts of the city, reaching a depth of 2.5 metres in some places. Two other people were reported killed in the provinces.

On Thursday, the government called for the evacuation of all people living in flood-prone zones.

Many parts of the city are vulnerable to flooding, from the up-market Cocody neighbourhood to the densely populated Yopougon area.

June is usually the wettest month in Abidjan, with an average monthly rainfall of just under 500mm.

A coastal city of five million, Abidjan suffers from some severe infrastructure problems, including drainage and sewerage.

Ivory Coast Flooding
Survivors told of people perched on the roofs of their houses as the floodwater rushed through the streets. [Sia Kambou/AFP]
Advertisement
Ivory Coast Flooding
'I've never seen anything like it,' said a resident. His car was swept 600 metres from his home. [Sia Kambou/AFP]
Ivory Coast Flooding
June is the wettest month in this part of Ivory Coast. [Sia Kambou/AFP]
Ivory Coast Flooding
With a population of five milllion, Abidjan is the fourth-most populous city in Africa. [Sia Kambou/AFP]
Ivory Coast Flooding
The city's growth from 500,000 people in 1970 to around five million today has resulted in infrastructure problems. [Sia Kambou/AFP]
Ivory Coast Flooding
Fast-flowing water needs only to be half a metre deep to move a vehicle. The 2.5 metres of water raging through Abidjan threw vehicles around like children's toys. [Sia Kambou/AFP]
Advertisement
Ivory Coast Flooding
On Thursday, the government called for the evacuation of all people living in flood-prone zones. [Sia Kambou/AFP]


    • About Us
    • Code of Ethics
    • Terms and Conditions
    • EU/EEA Regulatory Notice
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Cookie Preferences
    • Sitemap
    • Work for us
    • Contact Us
    • User Accounts Help
    • Advertise with us
    • Stay Connected
    • Newsletters
    • Channel Finder
    • TV Schedule
    • Podcasts
    • Submit a Tip
    • Al Jazeera Arabic
    • Al Jazeera English
    • Al Jazeera Investigative Unit
    • Al Jazeera Mubasher
    • Al Jazeera Documentary
    • Al Jazeera Balkans
    • AJ+
    • Al Jazeera Centre for Studies
    • Al Jazeera Media Institute
    • Learn Arabic
    • Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights
    • Al Jazeera Forum
    • Al Jazeera Hotel Partners

Follow Al Jazeera English:

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • instagram-colored-outline
  • rss
Al Jazeera Media Network logo
© 2025 Al Jazeera Media Network