Five individuals tragically lost their lives due to the severe flooding triggered by heavy rains that swept across multiple regions of Togo on June 28 and 29, according to a provisional assessment released by the government on Saturday evening.

The Gulf of Guinea region witnessed exceptionally intense rainfall in late June, marking the onset of the rainy season, which led to serious flooding not only in Togo but also in neighboring Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Nigeria.

In an official statement broadcast on national television, the government detailed that “to date, the provisional toll stands at five fatalities, extensive material damage, and significant disruptions to traffic flow.”

Residents forced to abandon their homes

The floods also “severely hampered movement,” as stated by the government. The Monday downpours, which lasted for several hours, submerged numerous dwellings, particularly within Togo’s capital, Lomé.

Many households found themselves with no option but to evacuate their residences, seeking shelter with neighbors or relatives. The government outlined that “rescue operations, aid for affected populations and communities, and the securing of high-risk areas are currently in progress, alongside support measures for impacted families and households, embodying a spirit of national solidarity.”

In recent days, various political parties and civil society organizations have urged residents in unaffected areas to extend solidarity to those displaced and impacted by the disaster. The Dynamique pour la majorité du peuple (DMP), a coalition of opposition political parties and civil society groups, issued a statement on July 2, criticizing that “these recurring floods underscore the urgent need to re-evaluate urbanization and sanitation policies.” Togo is not the sole nation mourning losses from these severe rains; Côte d’Ivoire reported 59 fatalities, and Ghana recorded twelve.