Severe flash floods hit Accra, at least 7 people dead or missing, Ghana

At least 5 people were killed and 2 remain missing after a surprisingly strong storm hit capital Accra, Ghana late April 7, 2019. 

Heavy rain lasted less than 2 hours, leaving behind flooded roads and scores of stranded motorists. 

Running water spilled from chocked drains unto the roads at the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange and left pedestrians with no choice but to walk through the water which was around the knee level, GhanaWeb reports.

The Greater Accra National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), said out of the five dead persons, one was electrocuted after coming in contact with a live wire, one woman and her baby perished in the rain, as did two men and the electrocuted person.

The worst affected area was Kwame Nkrumah Circle where most of the roads were unpassable. The area now unofficially represents the benchmark for Accra foods.

Authorities say they have already begun desilting storm drains ahead of the rainy season.

Heavy rains hit Accra on June 18, 2018, causing destructive floods across the city and leaving at least 3 people dead and 4 missing.

The floods caused chaos across the capital and left many people trapped in their homes and vehicles. Local media reported numerous destroyed homes and Greater Accra Region under 1 m (3.3 feet) of water.

The flooding has again exposed the poor drainage system in Accra, which comes in for severe criticism every rainy season. 

Featured image credit: Dɔkono Wura Ba @KyereNie