At least 59 people have died in floods across Ivory Coast since the beginning of this year, according to a government spokesperson on Wednesday. The announcement came after a cabinet meeting in the capital, Abidjan, where spokesperson Amadou Coulibaly described the situation as deeply concerning. He did not specify how many deaths occurred in the most recent flooding.

Earlier this week, continuous heavy rainfall caused severe flooding and landslides in both Ghana and Ivory Coast, killing at least 24 people and leaving many missing. In Ghana’s capital Accra and the nearby city of Tema, roads and buildings were submerged, cutting off transport links. In Ivory Coast, Minister of National Solidarity Myss Belmonde Dogo said most of the deaths occurred in Abidjan’s Attecoube and Yopougon districts. Coulibaly urged citizens to follow safety guidelines and avoid high-risk areas identified by the government.

The World Meteorological Organization noted that Africa remains one of the world’s most vulnerable regions to extreme weather events, which are increasing due to climate change, despite the continent’s minimal contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions.