At least 13 people have died in Ghana’s capital, Accra, after torrential rain resulted in severe flooding, according to the fire service which has been involved in rescue efforts.
The government has urged people to stay indoors or move to higher ground, as the meteorological agency warned further rain was expected with a big storm approaching from the east.
Much of the water from Sunday night’s downpours has begun to recede, but as the recovery operation continues, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNF) said the death toll could rise.
Low-lying areas were particularly impacted. Videos circulating on social media show homes and vehicles submerged, while many buildings have been destroyed.
Emergency response teams have been deployed to the flood-affected region, including from the police, fire service, the military and the National Disaster Management Organisation.
The interior ministry said they had been deployed to monitor the situation and to safeguard lives and property.
The GNFS said it had rescued more than 470 people so far.
The floods also triggered a major fire at a rubber factory in the city.
Some residents have also become trapped at home. The government has called for people to relocate to higher safe grounds and to avoid travelling in flooded areas.
”Stay indoors if you are in a safe location,” the president’s office said in a statement.
“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.”
According to Mahama, preliminary data indicated that around 140mm of rain descended on Accra.
“By comparison, the highest single-day rainfall recorded last year was about 56 mm,” he wrote on X, adding the increase pointed to climate change.
The Ghana Meteorological Agency also warned that more rain was expected to affect parts of southern Ghana – where Accra is located – on Tuesday morning into the afternoon, raising the risk of further flooding.
“Avoid sheltering under trees, stay clear of loose electrical wires, and do not walk or drive through floodwaters,” the agency advised.
Accra is one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa, with a population of more than four million, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Resident Philip Mensah said his house had been flooded, telling AFP news agency that his “1970s collection of vinyl records is now underwater”.
Schoolteacher Patience Naa Adjeley Adjei said she had spent hours trying to keep water out of her room.
“I have mopped my room more than eight times,” she told AFP. “I can’t even step out because my room is flooded, and outside is flooded.”
The Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) have temporarily shut down power supply to parts of the capital affected by the floods as a precautionary measure.
In a joint statement, they said the shutdown was “necessary” because the flooding affected power infrastructure at multiple substations, “posing significant risks to both electrical equipment and operational personnel”.
Flooding in Accra is exacerbated by a poor drainage system, including clogged gutters and the construction of illegal structures on waterways.
“The irresponsible actions of a few individuals end up putting entire communities at risk,” the president said.
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