By Adnan Adams Mohammed
President Mahama and Interior Minister urge action as historic 140mm downpour, Odawna market fire, and road cut-offs leave thousands stranded.
A multi-day torrential downpour has left a trail of devastation across the Greater Accra and Central regions, resulting in at least five confirmed deaths, one person missing, and the dramatic rescue of nearly 500 citizens trapped by rising waters.
The severe crisis forced the government to issue emergency directives, while utility companies cut off power to heavily flooded sectors to prevent mass electrocutions. Following a comprehensive aerial tour of the capital, President John Mahama expressed deep concern over the unprecedented volume of rain and the human activities worsening the crisis.
“I wish to express my deepest sympathy to all those who have lost property as a result of today’s floods. The damage has been extensive, and many families have been severely affected,” President Mahama stated, adding that preliminary data indicated a staggering 140 millimetres of rainfall had hit Accra in a single day.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), working alongside the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the military, and the police marine unit, confirmed they had rescued a total of 479 people. However, the sheer volume of water overwhelmed several communities.
“Our teams remained on high alert throughout the period, responding to dozens of flood emergencies, fire outbreaks, and even a structural collapse,” a GNFS spokesperson stated. “While we successfully moved 479 people to safety, we have recovered four bodies within the Adabraka-Odawna corridor alone, bringing the total death toll to five, while one female trader remains missing in Tema.”
A father’s desperate plea
As floodwaters rose rapidly, social media was flooded with harrowing videos of trapped residents. In one emotional video that went viral, an Accra father was captured standing on a semi-submerged rooftop, crying out to emergency workers: “Please, save my girls! The water is reaching the ceiling. Just take my daughters first!”
Rescuers eventually reached the family, part of 105 people including 45 children safely evacuated during a joint operation at Tse-Ado Last Stop.
Double disaster: Fire and water at Odawna
The crisis took a bizarre and terrifying turn at the Odawna market area in Adabraka, where a massive fire broke out amidst the heavy flooding. Firefighters had to battle the inferno while wading through waist-deep waters.
Compounding the hazard, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) executed emergency shutdowns of several substations.
“We had no choice but to shut down power in parts of Accra due to safety measures,” an ECG official explained. “With the water levels submerging electrical installations and transformers, keeping the grid live would have resulted in catastrophic electrocutions for residents and rescuers alike. We ask for patience as we monitor the situation.”
Roads severed and capital cut off
The infrastructure damage extended far beyond the capital’s heart. The heavy deluge completely cut off the vital Winneba-Cape Coast highway, rendering it impassable and leaving thousands of commuters stranded.
“We have been sitting here since morning,” said an aggrieved passenger stuck on the Winneba road. “The water is flowing like a river across the highway. No car can cross, and we are just praying the road doesn’t wash away completely.”
In another near-miss, a four-storey building collapsed at Tabora No. 6 in Accra. Disaster was narrowly averted as all 12 occupants managed to evacuate just moments before the structure gave way.
Enforcement and climate challenges
Reflecting on his aerial assessment, President Mahama pointed to climate patterns and illegal human activities as major contributors to the disaster, noting that people have turned wetlands into refuse dumps and sold the land for housing development.
“We must therefore tackle this challenge from both an engineering and an enforcement perspective by opening blocked channels and identifying structures obstructing the natural flow of water,” the President urged.
With meteorological reports indicating that more rain is expected over the coming days, the Minister for the Interior issued a stern warning to residents of the capital to prioritize safety over economic activities.
“We are tracking more incoming weather systems. I am strongly advising all Accra residents, especially those in low-lying and flood-prone areas, to stay home,” the Interior Minister warned. “Do not attempt to walk or drive through moving water. If your area is prone to flooding, please move to higher ground immediately.”
