Ghana Meteorological Agency Warns of Severe Flooding as Peak Rains Claim Lives and Submerge Critical Infrastructure

The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) has issued an urgent warning as the country enters the peak of its major rainy season, with June expected to bring intensified storm events and significant flooding risks. Meteorologists note that recent heavy downpours in the capital and surrounding regions align with historical trends but are being exacerbated by global climate change affecting temperature and moisture levels. This weather pattern has already led to tragic loss of life and widespread disruption across southern and central Ghana, including the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions, where saturated ground has made communities increasingly vulnerable.

The human cost of the rains has been devastating. In the Twifo Atti-Morkwa District, officials confirmed two drowning incidents, including a 45-year-old man whose body was recovered from the Pra River and Alfred Kumi, a recent Junior High School graduate who drowned in the Osen River. In Accra, another man lost his life after being swept away while attempting to clear a gutter during a heavy downpour. James Pra from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has cautioned residents against dangerous practices like illegal sand winning along riverbanks, which heightens the risk of soil instability and drowning during the peak season.

Beyond the loss of life, the flooding has paralyzed transport networks and isolated entire communities. In the Ga South Municipality, the Obom-Odunkwa bridge has been submerged, rendering it inaccessible for vehicles and stranding hundreds of residents. Commuters have reported being charged exploitative fees ranging from GH"50 to GH"100 by individuals offering to assist them across the dangerous waters. Peter Mensah, Secretary of the Landlords Association, has called for immediate government intervention to repair the deteriorating bridge, which serves as a vital artery for local commerce. Similar scenes of devastation have been reported at the Asafo Market in the Ashanti Region and Borteyman in Accra, indicating that the flooding has become a national emergency.

GMet experts Frederick Cudjoe and Joseph Tetteh Portuphy have urged the public to remain vigilant, forecasting at least two to four more major storm events before the end of June. While brief periods of relief may occur during the day, the agency warns that subsequent rains will likely exacerbate existing flooding. Residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas are strongly advised to relocate to higher ground and avoid attempting to walk or drive through floodwaters. As the government continues sanitation drives and limited demolitions in critical areas, community leaders are calling for more robust, long-term infrastructural solutions to mitigate the perennial crisis.