News: Damage caused by high tides in Grand-Bassam, Côte d’Ivoire
Residents and owners of tourist establishments in Grand-Bassam were hard hit by a series of high tides that caused significant damage. Devastated swimming pools, flooded restaurants, uprooted palm trees… The damage is considerable and some establishments are unable to receive the public.
The consequences of these high tides were particularly observed on the beach, where palm trees lie on the ground and where architectural elements such as tiled blocks have been washed away by the waves. This is the case of Kanmindié, an establishment which usually welcomed vacationers in search of relaxation. Its owner, Hervé Daly, feels powerless in the face of the extent of the damage: “The sea came to devastate and completely dig. We had five straw huts, some of straw, others of tiles. They were totally invaded and carried away by the sea.”
The consequences of this damage are also felt by tourism professionals in the region. Reservations have been cancelled, orders suspended, and the disappointment is palpable. Some establishments had even planned to host large-scale events, such as the Africa Cup of Nations, but now face the impossibility of hosting anyone.
This alarming situation highlights the harmful consequences of human activity on coastal erosion. If the high tides are a natural phenomenon, the construction of ports and the overexploitation of the coast contribute to aggravate this phenomenon.
Urgent action is needed to preserve these coastal areas and protect tourist establishments that are essential to the local economy. Raising awareness of the impact of our actions on the environment is also crucial to avoiding such damage in the future