Ghana flooding: At least 13 people killed in Accra after torrential rains
Severe flooding caused by torrential rainfall has claimed at least 13 lives in Accra, Ghana’s capital. The fire service, actively engaged in rescue operations, confirmed the fatalities, with vehicles and residences submerged across the city. Authorities have advised residents to remain indoors or seek elevated areas, following warnings from the meteorological agency about an impending major storm approaching from the east, bringing more rain.
While floodwaters from Sunday night’s heavy rainfall are starting to subside, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) indicated that the number of casualties might increase as recovery efforts proceed. Areas at lower elevations bore the brunt of the flooding. Social media footage depicts numerous homes and vehicles underwater, with significant structural damage reported for many buildings.
Various emergency units, including personnel from the police, fire service, military, and the National Disaster Management Organisation, have been dispatched to the areas impacted by the floods. The interior ministry stated that these teams were sent to observe the unfolding situation and to protect both residents and their possessions. The GNFS reported rescuing over 470 individuals to date. Additionally, the inundation sparked a significant blaze at a rubber manufacturing plant within the city.
With some residents stranded in their homes, the government has urged people to move to safer, elevated locations and to refrain from navigating through flooded zones. The president’s office issued a statement advising: “Stay indoors if you are in a safe location.” The statement continued: “Do not attempt to cross flooded roads, whether on foot or in a vehicle. If your home is being inundated, move immediately to higher ground and call 112 for emergency assistance.”
Preliminary figures from Mahama suggest that approximately 140mm of rainfall occurred in Accra. He noted on X that, “By comparison, the highest single-day rainfall recorded last year was about 56 mm,” further suggesting that this rise indicates climate change. The Ghana Meteorological Agency also issued a caution that additional rainfall is anticipated across parts of southern Ghana, including Accra, from Tuesday morning through the afternoon, heightening the potential for more floods. The agency’s advice included: “Avoid sheltering under trees, stay clear of loose electrical wires, and do not walk or drive through floodwaters.”
With a population exceeding four million, Accra ranks among <a href="https://absafricatv.com/smart-africa-eaco-to-advance-digital-transformation/” title=”Smart Africa, EACO to advance digital transformation”>Africa‘s most rapidly expanding urban centers, as per the World Health Organization (WHO). Philip Mensah, a local resident, informed AFP news agency that his home was inundated, lamenting that his “1970s collection of vinyl records is now underwater.” Schoolteacher Patience Naa Adjeley Adjei recounted spending several hours attempting to prevent water from entering her room. She told AFP, “I have mopped my room more than eight times. I can’t even step out because my room is flooded, and outside is flooded.”
Markets and businesses, some of which were swept away, remain shut as officials prepare for further rainfall. As a precaution, the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) have temporarily cut power to flood-affected areas of the capital. In a collaborative statement, the companies explained that the power cut was “necessary” due to flood damage to infrastructure at several substations, which was “posing significant risks to both electrical equipment and operational personnel.”
Accra’s flooding issues are worsened by an inadequate drainage system, characterized by blocked gutters and unauthorized construction on natural waterways. The president commented that “The irresponsible actions of a few individuals end up putting entire communities at risk.” Following an aerial inspection of the city on Monday, the president mandated the removal of all these unauthorized constructions.
Accra faced comparable floods in 2015, which led to a fuel station explosion and claimed 150 lives. Ewurabena Yanyi-Akofur, director of WaterAid Ghana, urged for “stronger urban planning and preparedness measures, to safeguard communities before, during and after extreme weather events.” She further stated, “What we are witnessing in Accra is not an isolated weather event, but part of a pattern intensified by climate change and rapid, unplanned urbanisation.”
