At least thirteen people have died and several more are still missing after a landslide swept away about 20 houses in the city of Anyama in Côte d'Ivoire on Thursday 18 June 2020. At least ten more people are recieving hospital treatment following the incident, which happened after days of heavy rain in the area associated with the annual rainy season. Landslides
are a common problem after severe weather events, as excess pore water
pressure can overcome cohesion in soil and sediments, allowing them to
flow like liquids. Approximately 90% of all landslides are caused by
heavy rainfall. The area where the landslip occurred was served by a system of drainage channels, intended to stop such incidents, but these have reportedly been overwhelmed by exceptionally high levels of rainfall this year, with 229.3 mm of rain falling on Anyama in the last week.
The scene of a landslide in the city of Anyama in Côte d'Ivoire on 18 June 2020. Sia Kambou/AFP.
West Africa has a distinct two season climatic cycle, with a cool dry season during the northern winter when prevalent winds blow from the Sahara to the northeast, and a warm rainy season during the northern summer when prevalent winds blow from the Atlantic Ocean to the southwest. These warm winds from the Atlantic are laden with moisture, which can be lost rapidly when the air encounters cooler conditions.
Rainfall and prevalent winds during the West African dry and rainy seasons. Encyclopedia Britanica.
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