Heavy Rains Cause Severe Flooding in Parts of Accra

A torrential downpour on the evening of Thursday, March 13, led to widespread flooding across Accra, with the Ofankor Barrier stretch of the N1 Highway among the hardest-hit areas.

Within hours, rising water levels trapped motorists in gridlocked traffic, while pedestrians were forced to abandon their journeys. The flooding caused significant disruptions, with traffic backing up from the Achimota Old Station to Tantra Hill.

In a bid to escape the rising waters, some drivers near the Neoplan Station attempted to reverse and divert onto alternative routes leading to Taifa. However, many vehicles became trapped or completely submerged, making movement nearly impossible.

Other areas, including Shiashie, also experienced severe flooding, with streets turning into rivers. Water surged into homes and businesses, once again exposing Accra’s ongoing drainage challenges. Commuters traveling toward Amasaman, Pokuase, and other parts of the Greater Accra Region faced long delays as vehicles struggled to navigate submerged roads.

Pedestrians also suffered as water levels rose dangerously high, leaving many stranded until the floodwaters receded.

Ironically, the flooding occurred just two days after the government’s Anti-Flood Taskforce conducted an aerial inspection of flood-prone areas on March 11. Their assessment identified choked drains, illegal structures on waterways, and poor construction practices as major contributors to Accra’s persistent flooding.

Despite promises to address these issues before the peak rainy season, Thursday’s disaster underscores the urgent need for immediate action to prevent further devastation.