What happened in Guinea?
CONAKRY, Guinea — Torrential overnight rains have killed at least 10 people in the Guinean capital of Conakry, with three more missing as buildings collapsed and floodwaters surged through residential areas. The deaths come on top of a previous toll of 15 fatalities reported by the government between June 28 and July 24, bringing the total flood-related death toll in Guinea to at least 25.
The urban flooding, worsened by uncontrolled construction and clogged gutters, led to the collapse of multiple buildings, trapping residents in their homes. Among the victims was a mother and her three children, tragically swept away when part of their house crumbled during the deluge.
“I heard the children calling for help,” survivor Benjamin Kamano told AFP. “I got up quickly and found myself underwater… There was no one in the children’s room. I realised they were gone, because their crying had stopped.”
Between late June and late July, floods in Guinea injured 19 people, damaged 138 homes, and displaced 52 households, according to a government report. The hardest-hit areas include Conakry and surrounding regions.
What happened in Nigeria?
In Yola, the capital of Adamawa state in northeastern Nigeria, flash floods triggered by heavy seasonal rains on July 28 have claimed at least 23 lives, the UN humanitarian agency OCHA confirmed.
The floods submerged entire neighborhoods, leaving thousands homeless and dozens injured. The rapid rise of water levels overwhelmed infrastructure, forcing emergency services into rescue mode as homes were swept away and roads rendered impassable.
This catastrophe adds to a growing pattern of devastating floods across West Africa, where inadequate drainage systems and rapid urbanization leave many communities vulnerable each rainy season.
Why it matters
These back-to-back tragedies in Guinea and Nigeria highlight the deadly consequences of extreme weather and poor infrastructure in the region. With climate change intensifying seasonal rainfall, both countries face mounting pressure to improve disaster preparedness, drainage systems, and urban planning.
Officials from Guinea’s National Agency for Emergency and Humanitarian Disaster Management have acknowledged that unregulated construction and blocked water systems worsened the crisis in Conakry, calling for urgent reforms to prevent future deaths.
