Torrential rains have submerged large parts of Ghana’s Capital Accra, triggering severe flooding that has displaced residents and disrupted activities.
Homes, roads and markets were under water on Tuesday with emergency responders warning that the death toll could rise as rescue and recovery operations continue.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), which has been leading rescue operations, said it has so far rescued more than 470 people from flood-hit communities.
Emergency teams comprising the police, military, fire service and the National Disaster Management Organisation have also been deployed to affected areas to safeguard lives and property.
The government has urged residents to remain indoors if safe or relocate to higher ground, while the Ghana Meteorological Agency warned that another major storm approaching from the east could bring further rainfall and increase the risk of additional flooding.
Although floodwaters from Sunday night’s heavy downpour have begun to recede in some areas, authorities said the situation remains dangerous, particularly in low-lying communities where homes, businesses and vehicles were submerged.
Videos circulating on social media showed entire neighbourhoods underwater, with several buildings severely damaged.
In a statement, the Presidency cautioned residents against travelling through flooded areas.
“Stay indoors if you are in a safe location. 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.”
President John Dramani Mahama said preliminary data showed that approximately 140 millimetres of rain fell on Accra during the storm, describing it as an unusually intense weather event.
“By comparison, the highest single-day rainfall recorded last year was about 56 mm,” Mahama wrote on X, adding that the significant increase pointed to climate change.
The Ghana Meteorological Agency also warned that more rainfall was expected across southern Ghana, including Accra, from Tuesday morning into the afternoon.
The agency advised residents:
“Avoid sheltering under trees, stay clear of loose electrical wires, and do not walk or drive through floodwaters.”
The flooding also disrupted electricity supply after the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) temporarily shut down power to several affected parts of the capital.
In a joint statement, the companies explained that the outage was a safety precaution.
“The shutdown was necessary because the flooding affected power infrastructure at multiple substations, posing significant risks to both electrical equipment and operational personnel.”
The floods also sparked a major fire at a rubber factory in Accra, further complicating emergency response efforts.
Many residents were trapped inside their homes as floodwaters rose rapidly.
One resident, Philip Mensah, lamented the destruction of his belongings, telling AFP that his “1970s collection of vinyl records is now underwater.”
Authorities said Accra’s persistent flooding problem has been worsened by inadequate drainage infrastructure, clogged gutters and illegal construction on waterways.
President Mahama criticised those responsible for blocking drainage channels.
“The irresponsible actions of a few individuals end up putting entire communities at risk.”
Following an aerial assessment of the flooded city on Monday, the President ordered the demolition of all illegal structures built on waterways.
The disaster has renewed concerns about Accra’s vulnerability to flooding. The city, home to more than four million people according to the World Health Organization (WHO), has experienced similar tragedies in the past.
In 2015, severe flooding triggered an explosion at a fuel station that killed about 150 people.
Reacting to the latest disaster, WaterAid Ghana Country Director, Ewurabena Yanyi-Akofur, called for long-term measures to improve the city’s resilience.
“Stronger urban planning and preparedness measures are needed to safeguard communities before, during and after extreme weather events.”
She added:”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.”
