A heavy downpour on the evening of Thursday, March 13, resulted in severe flooding along the Ofankor Barrier stretch of the N1 Highway in Accra, causing major traffic congestion and leaving numerous pedestrians stranded.
The flooding, which occurred after just a few hours of rain, led to a significant traffic buildup stretching from the Achimota Old Station to Tantra Hill and beyond.
The situation worsened as some motorists, in a desperate attempt to avoid being stuck in the rising waters, reversed their vehicles from the main highway near the Neoplan Station to divert onto the outer lane leading to Taifa and its neighboring communities.
However, not all drivers were fortunate enough to escape the flooding. Several vehicles were completely submerged or stuck in the water, making it impossible for them to move.
In addition to the Ofankor Barrier stretch, areas such as Shiashie also experienced intense flooding, further highlighting the recurring problem of poor drainage and flooding in Ghana’s capital.
Commuters heading towards Amasaman, Pokuase, and other parts of the Greater Accra Region found themselves stuck in what seemed like an endless standstill, with buses, private vehicles, and commercial minibusses (trotros) struggling to maneuver through the floodwaters.
Pedestrians attempting to cross the flooded streets found themselves stranded, as the water levels were dangerously high in some areas.
Many had no choice but to wait for the floodwaters to recede before continuing their journey home.
Shiashie, another flood-prone area in Accra, also experienced severe flooding following Thursday’s rains. This area, which has long struggled with poor drainage infrastructure, turned into a mini river, with water flowing through the streets and into businesses and homes.
Just two days before the floods, on Tuesday, March 11, the government’s Anti-Flood Taskforce had conducted an aerial tour of Accra to assess flood-prone areas.
The team had pledged to desilt choked drains and put measures in place to mitigate flooding before the peak of the rainy season.
During the aerial tour, the task force identified heavily silted drainage systems, illegal structures on waterways, and unregulated construction activities as the primary causes of perennial flooding in the city.
Explore the world of impactful news with CitiNewsroom on WhatsApp!
Click on the link to join the Citi Newsroom channel for curated, meaningful stories tailored just for YOU: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCYzPRAYlUPudDDe53x
No spam, just the stories that truly matter! #StayInformed #CitiNewsroom #CNRDigital
