Rains Trigger Monday Morning Floods Across Accra, Disrupting Commute NADMO on High Alert as Floodwaters Submerge Major Roads and Communities

Heavy rains on Monday morning caused widespread flooding across parts of Accra, bringing traffic to a near standstill, inundating homes and businesses, and prompting the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to activate emergency response teams.

Authorities have urged residents in flood-prone and low-lying communities to remain vigilant, avoid flooded roads, and move to safer locations where necessary, as more rainfall is expected over the next 24 hours.

Major Roads Flooded

One of the hardest-hit locations was the Tetteh Quashie Interchange, where floodwaters submerged sections of the underpass beneath the railway bridge, leaving vehicles stranded and creating severe congestion along the Spintex Road corridor toward Polo Grounds and Hajj Village.

Traffic was also heavily affected on the N1 Highway between Kasoa and central Accra. Motorists travelling through the Weija Barrier and Mallam areas encountered extensive flooding, forcing many to slow down or seek alternative routes.

Several roads along the Spintex corridor were similarly affected, significantly delaying the Monday morning commute.

Communities Affected

Flooding was reported across several parts of the capital, including Abeka, Lapaz, Achimota, Dzorwulu, Tesano, Apenkwa, Atomic Junction, Kaneshie, Darkuman Junction, portions of the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange, Weija, Mallam, Tantra Hill, and sections of the Accra-Kasoa Highway.

In many neighbourhoods, floodwaters entered homes and shops, forcing residents to move furniture, electrical appliances, and other valuables to higher ground.

NADMO Activates Emergency Response

NADMO confirmed that flooding had affected both Accra and Tema and announced that emergency response teams had been deployed across vulnerable areas.

According to the agency, rescue teams are on standby to assist with evacuations, provide emergency support, and pump floodwater from affected homes where necessary.

The organisation is also introducing a mobile application that will enable residents to report flooding and emergencies in local languages, allowing for quicker response times.

Greater Accra Regional Minister Linda Ocloo has previously identified flood-prone communities—including Kaneshie, Alajo, Circle, Weija, Madina, Adenta and Tema—for intensified monitoring, while ongoing desilting exercises and the removal of structures obstructing waterways continue.

Why Flooding Persists

The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) has warned that Accra has become increasingly vulnerable to flooding, noting that rainfall of about 30 millimetres can now trigger significant inundation in many parts of the city. June rainfall totals are projected to range between 100 and 150 millimetres.

Urban planners and environmental experts attribute the recurring floods to clogged drains, indiscriminate disposal of waste, rapid urbanisation, and construction on waterways and wetlands that once naturally absorbed stormwater.

The flooding has also disrupted waste collection services in some areas, raising concerns about sanitation and public health as refuse accumulates across parts of the city.

Public Safety Advisory

Authorities are advising residents to:

• Avoid driving or walking through flooded roads.
• Stay away from rivers, streams and storm drains, particularly the Odaw River.
• Move valuables and important documents to higher ground if living in flood-prone areas.
• Report emergencies promptly to NADMO or their local assemblies.

With additional showers forecast through Monday and into Tuesday, residents are urged to exercise caution, monitor weather updates, and plan for possible travel delays as emergency agencies continue to monitor the situation.

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