By Zobia Zulfqar 
At least 13 people have died after torrential rains triggered severe flooding across Ghana’s capital, Accra, prompting a large-scale emergency response and renewed concerns over the city’s vulnerability to extreme weather.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), which has been leading rescue operations, said more than 470 people have been rescued from floodwaters since the heavy downpour began on Sunday night. Officials warned that the death toll could increase as search and recovery operations continue in affected communities.
The flooding submerged homes, businesses and major roads, leaving many residents stranded. Videos shared on social media showed vehicles trapped in floodwaters, houses inundated and several structures damaged by the rising water.
Low-lying communities were among the hardest hit, with emergency teams working around the clock to evacuate residents and assist those trapped by the floods.
In response to the disaster, the government deployed personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Armed Forces and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to support rescue efforts and protect lives and property.
The Ministry of the Interior said security agencies remain on the ground to monitor the situation and assist affected communities as weather conditions continue to pose a risk.
President John Dramani Mahama urged residents to remain indoors if they were in safe locations and advised those living in flood-prone areas to move immediately to higher ground.
“Do not attempt to cross flooded roads, whether on foot or in a vehicle. If your home is being inundated, move immediately to higher ground and call 112 for emergency assistance,” the President’s Office said in a public advisory.
President Mahama disclosed that preliminary data indicated approximately 140 millimetres of rain fell over Accra during the storm, more than double the highest single-day rainfall recorded in the city last year, which stood at about 56 millimetres.
He said the unusually heavy rainfall reflected the growing impact of climate change while also highlighting longstanding urban planning challenges.
The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) has warned that additional rainfall is expected across parts of southern Ghana, including Accra, increasing the risk of further flooding.
The agency advised residents to avoid sheltering under trees, stay away from exposed electrical wires and refrain from driving or walking through floodwaters.
Flooding also caused a major fire at a rubber factory in Accra, creating additional challenges for emergency responders already stretched by rescue operations across the city.
Some residents remained trapped inside their homes as floodwaters surrounded buildings and made movement impossible.
Power supply was also disrupted in several parts of the capital after floodwaters affected electricity infrastructure. The Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) temporarily shut down power to some areas as a safety precaution.
In a joint statement, the two institutions explained that the shutdown was necessary because flooding had affected multiple substations, posing significant risks to equipment and technical personnel.
Authorities say Accra’s recurring flooding problem has been worsened by poor drainage systems, clogged gutters and the construction of buildings on waterways.
Following an aerial inspection of the affected areas, President Mahama directed authorities to demolish illegal structures obstructing natural drainage channels to reduce future flood risks.
The latest disaster has revived memories of the devastating June 2015 floods, when heavy rainfall and a fuel station explosion claimed more than 150 lives in Accra.
Environmental experts have renewed calls for stronger urban planning, improved drainage infrastructure and better disaster preparedness to protect communities from increasingly frequent extreme weather events linked to climate change.