At least 13 people have died after torrential rainfall caused severe flooding across Accra, Ghana’s capital, according to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), which continues to lead rescue operations.
Authorities have urged residents to stay indoors if safe or move to higher ground, as the Ghana Meteorological Agency warned that another major storm is expected to arrive from the east.
Although floodwaters from Sunday night’s heavy rains have begun to recede, officials fear the death toll could rise as search and recovery efforts continue.
Low-lying communities were among the hardest hit. Videos shared on social media showed homes, roads, and vehicles submerged, while numerous buildings suffered extensive damage.
Emergency response teams including personnel from the police, fire service, military, and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) have been deployed across affected areas to rescue victims and protect lives and property.
The Ghana National Fire Service said it has rescued more than 470 people since the flooding began.
The floods also sparked a major fire at a rubber factory, further complicating emergency operations.
Many residents remain trapped in their homes. The government has advised people to relocate to safer areas and avoid traveling through flooded streets.
In a public statement, the President’s Office urged citizens:
“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 over Accra.
“By comparison, the highest single-day rainfall recorded last year was about 56 millimetres,” he wrote on X, adding that the dramatic increase highlights the growing impact of climate change.
The Ghana Meteorological Agency has warned that additional rainfall is expected across southern Ghana, including Accra, on Tuesday, increasing the risk of further flooding.
The agency advised residents to avoid sheltering under trees, stay away from fallen or exposed electrical wires, and never walk or drive through floodwaters.
Accra, home to more than four million people, is one of Africa’s fastest-growing cities, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Residents described the devastation caused by the floods. Philip Mensah told AFP that his home had been inundated, saying his cherished collection of vinyl records dating back to the 1970s was now underwater.
Schoolteacher Patience Naa Adjeley Adjei said she had spent hours trying to keep floodwater out of her room.
“I have mopped my room more than eight times,” she said. “I can’t even step outside because both my room and the surrounding area are flooded.”
As a safety precaution, the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) temporarily cut electricity to several flood-affected parts of Accra.
In a joint statement, the companies said the shutdown was necessary because flooding had damaged power infrastructure at multiple substations, creating significant risks to both equipment and personnel.
Experts say Accra’s flooding problems are worsened by inadequate drainage systems, clogged gutters, and the construction of illegal buildings on waterways.
“The irresponsible actions of a few individuals end up putting entire communities at risk,” President Mahama said.
Following an aerial inspection of the city on Monday, he ordered the demolition of all illegal structures built on waterways.
Accra experienced a similar disaster in 2015, when severe flooding triggered an explosion at a fuel station that killed about 150 people.
Ewurabena Yanyi Akofur, Country Director of WaterAid Ghana, called for stronger urban planning and disaster preparedness.
“What we are witnessing in Accra is not an isolated weather event, but part of a growing pattern driven by climate change and rapid, unplanned urbanisation,” she said. “We need stronger planning and preparedness measures to protect communities before, during, and after extreme weather events.”
Source: Thomas Naadi,BBC Africa, Accra and Hafsa Khalil
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