Flash floods likely as heavy rains hit large parts of Ghana — GMet

Many parts of Ghana are expected to experience flash floods this afternoon and evening as heavy rains associated with a rainstorm sweeps across the country, according to forecasts by the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet).

In its afternoon forecast issued on Wednesday, May 22, GMet warned that the rainstorm propagating westwards across Southern Ghana would produce thunderstorms and rain of varying intensities from the afternoon into the evening hours.

"The rainstorm is likely to be accompanied by moderate to strong winds. Visibility is expected to deteriorate to a range between 1000m and 3000m. Flash floods are likely to occur over low-lying and flood-prone areas," said Prince O. Koduah, a duty forecaster at GMet.

Large swathes of the country ranging from the coastal South to the middle belt and parts of the north are expected to experience thunderstorms and rains of varying intensities.

Cities like Accra, Cape Coast, Kumasi, Tamale and Bolgatanga top the list of areas forecast to receive the heaviest downpours.

GMet has cautioned the public to be on alert and take precautionary measures as the floods may cause disruption to human activities and destruction of property.

Low-lying communities near river banks and flood-prone neighborhoods are the most vulnerable.

The forecast further warns that visibility could significantly reduce to between 1km and 3km due to the rains, making road travel hazardous.

The rains are expected to continue into the night in some parts before giving way to cloudy and misty conditions in the morning of Thursday as the rainstorm exits the country to the west.

Meanwhile, many parts of Accra are already experiencing floods as the forecasting agency predicts.