Friday heavy downpour inundates Cape Coast, wreaks havoc

Many streets, homes and workplaces in Cape Coast have been submerged after more than seven hours of continuous rainfall.

The flood waters have displaced scores of residents, leaving hundreds stranded and triggering severe traffic congestion across parts of the city.

The downpour, which started in the early hours of Friday, inundated a number of communities, forcing residents to abandon their homes and seek refuge in safer locations.

Major and minor drainage systems overflowed as the volume of water overwhelmed existing channels, forcing floodwaters into homes, shops and other unconventional areas.

Unsurprisingly, the floods were accompanied by assorted plastics and other waste materials which worsened the situation.

At Abura, one of the hardest-hit areas, floodwaters engulfed numerous houses and vehicles, compelling homeowners to evacuate as water levels continued to rise.

The main Abura Road, the Interbeton Junction, the Abura Market and adjoining inner communities were heavily flooded, disrupting movement and commercial activities.

Schoolchildren and workers returning home were forced to wade through the floodwaters, while many commuters remained stranded for hours as the roads became impassable.

The flood also caused a major traffic gridlock across the city, with several motorists forced to turn around after failing to navigate the submerged roads.

The situation was similar at Akyem behind the Holy Child School, the Aggrey Memorial School Junction and the frontage of the Central Regional Coordinating Council, where roads and surrounding areas were inundated.

As of the time of filing this report, no casualties had been reported, although residents continued to assess the extent of damage to property and belongings.

GNA