Floods Paralyse Accra Again: Major Roads Cut Off, Residents Trapped After Heavy Downpour
Accra, Ghana
Accra came to a standstill on Friday morning after hours of heavy rainfall flooded major parts of the capital. The Ghanaian Times reports that houses and vehicles were submerged, major roads were cut off, and several residents were trapped in their homes as floodwaters took over streets and communities.
Photos from the scene showed cars half-submerged in brown floodwater, with some abandoned by drivers who could not navigate the deep pools. Residential areas also recorded extensive damage, with households losing property and facing displacement.
Major roads and traffic chaos
The downpour paralysed traffic across key routes in Accra. Commuters heading to work were stranded for hours as intersections and highways turned into rivers. Public transport operators suspended services on affected routes, worsening the congestion.
Businesses along the flooded areas also shut down early, with traders counting losses due to water damage. For many residents, Friday’s flood is a painful reminder of Accra’s recurring drainage and urban planning challenges.
Residents trapped, property destroyed
In several low-lying communities, residents could not leave their homes as water levels rose rapidly. Families were seen scooping water out of rooms, while others moved belongings to higher ground. Some vehicles parked overnight were completely submerged, leaving owners to face huge repair costs.
Emergency response teams were deployed to assist stranded residents, but access was difficult due to the volume of water and blocked roads. Local assemblies are expected to assess the damage and provide relief to affected households.
Recurring flood problem
Accra’s flood problem has persisted for years despite multiple government interventions. Poor drainage systems, rapid urbanization, and construction on waterways have been blamed for the annual floods during the rainy season.
Urban planners continue to call for long-term solutions, including dredging of drains, strict enforcement of building codes, and relocation of structures on waterways. Without these, residents fear the city will keep experiencing the same cycle of destruction every rainy season.
What happens next
The National Disaster Management Organisation, NADMO, and Accra Metropolitan Assembly, AMA, are expected to provide updates on damage assessment and relief efforts. The Ghana Meteorological Agency has also warned of more rain in the coming days, urging residents in flood-prone areas to stay alert.
For now, Accra residents are left to deal with the aftermath: lost property, disrupted work, and the daily struggle of navigating a city underwater.
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