By Zobia Zulfqar 
The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) has issued a weather warning for parts of Southern Ghana as a slow moving rainstorm approaches from the coast of Benin, with thunderstorms and rainfall expected to affect several regions throughout Monday.
According to GMet’s latest impact based weather forecast, the rainstorm is moving westward and is expected to bring slight to moderate thunderstorms accompanied by rainfall across parts of the Volta, Greater Accra, Eastern and Central regions from the morning through the afternoon.
The agency said the weather system will later extend into portions of the middle belt, generating additional rain bearing clouds over the Ashanti, Bono, Ahafo, Western North and Western regions later in the day.
GMet warned that the storms could be accompanied by moderate winds capable of causing damage to trees, utility poles and electrical cables. Residents have been advised to remain alert and avoid unnecessary exposure during periods of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.
The weather agency also cautioned that visibility could reduce significantly during the storms, ranging between 6,000 and 10,000 metres, creating hazardous driving conditions on major roads.
Motorists have been urged to exercise extra caution by reducing speed, switching on headlights where necessary and maintaining safe distances from other vehicles while travelling through affected areas.
Pedestrians have also been advised to avoid walking through flooded streets or attempting to cross fast moving floodwaters, as localized flash flooding remains possible in low lying communities and areas with poor drainage systems.
According to the forecast, Greater Accra, Volta, Central and Eastern regions are expected to experience thunderstorms and rainfall between 8:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Meanwhile, residents in the Western, Ashanti, Bono, Ahafo and Western North regions should prepare for similar weather conditions between 10:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
The advisory comes as parts of the country continue to experience seasonal rainfall, with recent downpours causing flooding in several communities, disrupting transportation and affecting businesses.
GMet encouraged the public to continue monitoring official weather forecasts and updates throughout the day, particularly those living in flood prone areas.
Residents have also been urged to secure loose outdoor objects, avoid sheltering under trees during thunderstorms and make travel plans carefully where heavy rain is expected.
Emergency management officials continue to advise the public to report weather related emergencies promptly and follow safety instructions issued by relevant authorities.
The Ghana Meteorological Agency said it will continue monitoring the movement of the storm and provide additional updates should weather conditions change.