Residents trapped, major roads cut off as heavy rainfall floods Accra

Continuous rainfall on Monday has triggered widespread flooding across parts of Accra, Afienya and Dawhenya, leaving residents trapped in their homes and cutting off several major roads in the capital.

Affected residents are calling on the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) for urgent rescue intervention as rising floodwaters continue to inundate homes and disrupt movement across multiple communities.

A video sighted by the Ghana News Agency showed residents and neighbours wading and swimming through chest and neck-level floodwaters to rescue people trapped inside their rooms after water levels rose close to window height.

Several other communities across the capital have also been submerged, with floodwaters rendering key roads impassable and bringing vehicular movement to a standstill.

There were also reports of a fire outbreak at Odawna near Kwame Nkrumah Circle, although the cause and extent of the incident remain unclear.

Monitoring by the Ghana News Agency indicated that the Weija–Kasoa Road has been completely blocked by floodwaters, while sections of the N1 Highway are heavily submerged.

The area around Fiesta Royale Hotel has also been flooded, while the stretch from the Ghana Standards Authority to Shiashie is partially blocked, with only one lane remaining accessible to motorists.

The Atomic Roundabout is impassable due to flooding, while the Legon–GIMPA bypass has also been cut off around the vicinity of the new Law School building.

Alajo, a community frequently affected by flooding, is among several neighbourhoods severely inundated by the ongoing rains.

Authorities have urged motorists and pedestrians to avoid flooded routes and exercise extreme caution as rainfall continues.

NADMO has advised residents to remain alert and observe all safety precautions to prevent loss of life and property. It urged people to unplug electrical appliances immediately if floodwaters enter their homes to reduce the risk of electrocution.

The organisation further advised residents to stay indoors where it is safe and move to higher ground when water levels begin to rise.

NADMO cautioned the public against walking, swimming or driving through floodwaters, warning that moving water can be deeper and more dangerous than it appears.

Residents have been encouraged to keep emergency contacts readily available and to call 112 for immediate assistance in case of emergencies.

The agency reiterated that floods can occur without warning and stressed that preparedness, vigilance and strict adherence to safety guidance are essential in protecting lives during severe weather events.

Meanwhile, poor road conditions across several parts of the region are worsening traffic congestion and causing severe disruptions to movement.