Accra, June 30, GNA– Heavy rains that began last night have submerged many parts of Accra, triggering flood warnings.
Large sections of Ghana’s capital are under water on the last day of June as heavy rainfall turned major roads into rivers, displacing families, destroying businesses, and paralysing transport across Accra.
Floods hit markets, homes and roads
From Kaneshie and Odawna to Adabraka and the Kwame Nkrumah Circle enclave, floodwaters trapped early commuters within hours and forced families to flee their homes.
At Kaneshie Market, waters swept through trading areas, destroying goods. Many market women are yet to count their losses.
Other affected areas include Klagon, near Ashaiman, where a new bridge over the feeder streams of the Sakumo Lagoon has been submerged, cutting off the inner road to Ashaiman.
Alajo, Mallam, Dansoman, were also affected. In Alajo, several homes were inundated, forcing evacuations.
Engineers and planners blame decades of poor land-use planning, weak enforcement, and construction on wetlands and waterways. Ghana Institution of Engineers President Ing. Ludwig Annang Hesse said: “For the past 30 or 40 years, we have done things the wrong way. We have filled all the water-retention areas.”
The Ghana Meteorological Agency warns Accra’s capacity to drain rain has reduced sharply – as little as 30mm of rain can now inundate parts of the city.
GMet forecasts 100-150mm for the Coastal Zone this June, raising the flood risk further.
Infrastructure under pressure
The Kaneshie Storm Drain, part of the World Bank-funded GARID Project, is being advanced to address chronic flooding in the Odaw River Basin. Experts, however, warn that without protecting wetlands and retention ponds, drainage works alone cannot contain runoff.
With more rain forecast through Sunday and Monday, authorities are urging residents in flood-prone zones to remain alert, avoid waterlogged roads, and relocate temporarily where necessary.
GNA
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong