Deadly floods reportedly claim 13 lives in Accra

At least 13 people have died after torrential rains triggered severe flooding across Ghana’s capital, Accra, with authorities warning that the death toll could rise as rescue and recovery operations continue.

The flooding, caused by heavy overnight downpours on Sunday, submerged homes and vehicles, destroyed buildings and left hundreds of residents stranded in low-lying communities.

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), which has been leading rescue efforts alongside other emergency agencies, said more than 470 people had been rescued from flood-hit areas.

BBC reports that the government has urged residents to remain indoors if they are in safe locations or move to higher ground as the Ghana Meteorological Agency forecasts more heavy rainfall, with a major storm system expected to move into southern parts of the country.

Emergency response teams drawn from the police, military, fire service and the National Disaster Management Organisation have been deployed to affected communities to assist victims and protect property.

In a statement, the presidency advised residents not to attempt to cross flooded roads either on foot or by vehicle.

The floods also sparked a major fire at a rubber factory in Accra, compounding the emergency.

President John Dramani Mahama said preliminary weather data showed that about 140 millimetres of rain fell over Accra during the storm, more than double the highest single-day rainfall recorded last year, which stood at approximately 56 millimetres.

He said the unusually intense rainfall highlighted the growing impact of climate change.

The Ghana Meteorological Agency has warned that further rainfall is expected across southern Ghana through Tuesday, increasing the risk of additional flooding.

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