Over 38,000 Displaced, 12 Dead as Historic Rainfall Triggers Deadly Accra Floods – Interior Minister

More than 38,800 people have been displaced, 12 confirmed dead, and seven others still missing after torrential rains battered Greater Accra on Monday, June 29, the Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, told Parliament on Tuesday.

Presenting an official update on the disaster, the Minister described the downpour as one of the most severe in recent history. With 169 millimetres of rain recorded in a single day, it ranks as the fourth-highest daily rainfall Ghana has seen since 1995.

“By the time we got to the morning, we saw a volume that is the fourth highest that this country has ever seen since 1995. A volume of 169 millimetres of water in a day,” Mr. Muntaka told lawmakers.

He disclosed that government only received confirmation around midnight on Sunday, June 28, that the expected rainfall would be far more intense than earlier forecasts. By dawn, several communities were already submerged.

25 Communities, 16 Assemblies Hit
The floods cut across 25 communities in 16 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, paralyzing movement and locking many commuters out of Accra’s Central Business District.

The affected assemblies are Ga East, Ledzokuku, Ayawaso Central, Ga Central, Ga West, Ablekuma North, Ningo Prampram, Weija-Gbawe, Ga South, Adenta, Korle Klottey, Okaikwei South, Okaikwei North, Tema West, Tema Metropolitan Assembly, La Dade Kotopon and Krowor.

In total, 7,761 households were directly affected, displacing 38,802 people across the region.

Breakdown of Impact
Korle Klottey emerged as the hardest-hit area, with 6,500 people from 1,300 households displaced. Tema Metropolitan Assembly followed with 3,601 displaced persons, Tema West recorded 3,450, and Ayawaso Central had 3,021 people forced from their homes.

The human toll has been devastating. Ga East recorded the highest number of fatalities, with five deaths and six persons still missing. Ayawaso Central confirmed three deaths and one missing person. Tema Metropolitan Assembly also reported three fatalities, while Ledzokuku recorded one death.

As of Tuesday, the confirmed death toll stands at 12, with seven people still unaccounted for. Search and rescue teams, supported by NADMO and the Ghana Armed Forces, remain on the ground.

“Our Condolences to the Families”
Addressing Parliament, Mr. Muntaka extended the sympathies of government and the House to bereaved families.

“Let me take this opportunity to extend our condolences and that of government to the families that lost their relatives,” he said.

The Minister noted that the scale of displacement and destruction had overwhelmed some local response systems, but emergency operations have since been intensified. Relief items including food, blankets, and temporary shelter materials are being distributed, while medical teams have been deployed to prevent waterborne disease outbreaks.

A Pattern of Extreme Weather
Monday’s deluge adds to a growing pattern of extreme rainfall events in Accra, where rapid urbanization, poor drainage maintenance, and widespread paving of open spaces have reduced the city’s ability to absorb stormwater.

Urban planning experts say the 169mm recorded in 24 hours would test even well-maintained drainage systems. With many drains choked and natural waterways encroached upon, runoff was channeled directly into homes, markets, and major roads.

The floods also reignited debate over early warning systems. The Minister’s disclosure that government only confirmed the intensity of the rainfall around midnight has raised questions about forecasting, public alerts, and preparedness at the district level.

Government Response Underway
NADMO, in collaboration with the Ghana Meteorological Agency, MMDAs, and security agencies, has activated emergency protocols. The Interior Ministry says priority is being given to:

Search and rescue for the seven missing persons

Temporary shelter for the 38,802 displaced residents

Clearing of major drains to prevent secondary flooding if rains continue

Public health surveillance in camps and affected communities

Parliament is expected to debate a motion on long-term flood mitigation this week, with proposals ranging from stormwater utility fees to mandatory green infrastructure in new developments.

For now, thousands of families across Accra are counting their losses. Traders at Odawna Market, residents in Korle Klottey, and households in Tema and Ga East are among those starting the painful process of recovery.

As one displaced resident in Ayawaso Central put it: “The water came at night. By morning, everything was gone.”