Accra: Emergency response agencies have intensified rescue operations across flood-hit communities in the Greater Accra Region as the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) forecasts continuous rainfall throughout Monday.
According to Ghana News Agency, the rains, triggered by a slow-moving storm system from Togo, were expected to persist into the afternoon, with heavier downpours likely along coastal communities before easing later in the day. Mr Frederick Cudjoe, Senior Meteorologist at GMet, stated that the rainstorm would continue over the Greater Accra, Volta, Eastern and Central Regions before extending westwards. He noted that the propagation of this rainstorm is very slow, anticipating continuous rains of varying intensities throughout the afternoon.
Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, Minister for the Interior, urged the public to avoid unnecessary movement and work from home where possible, warning that weather conditions could worsen. He emphasized the importance of saving lives and ensuring that people do not take unnecessary risks. The Minister also stated that all emergency response agencies had been directed to operate as one coordinated team rather than in isolation.
Emergency responders, including the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana National Fire Service, and the National Ambulance Service, have commenced rescue operations. Lieutenant Colonel Frank Osei Amponsah, Commanding Officer of the 48 Engineer Regiment, mentioned that the military had activated Operation Bongo, its disaster response operation, and deployed rescue teams to Klagon, Chorkor, and Dzorwulu. The teams have so far responded to three distress calls and are continuing evacuation and rescue operations, with additional deployments planned as needed.
Mr Richard Amo Yartey, Director of the Inspectorate Unit at NADMO, stated that the organisation was working closely with the military, police, fire, and ambulance services to respond to emergency calls across the capital. He advised motorists against driving through floodwaters and urged residents in safe locations to remain indoors until conditions improved. He advised those being submerged by floodwaters to call emergency numbers for assistance.
Emergency services have urged the public to call 112 or NADMO's emergency lines for assistance. Heavy rains on Monday morning caused widespread flooding across parts of Accra, trapping residents in their homes, submerging several communities, and rendering major roads impassable. A video sighted by the Ghana News Agency showed residents swimming through neck-deep floodwaters to rescue trapped neighbours from submerged houses. There were also reports of a fire outbreak at Odorna, near the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, although the cause and extent of the incident were not immediately known.