The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) has warned Ghanaians to prepare for heavier and more frequent rains in the coming weeks as the country gradually enters the peak of the rainy season.
Joseph Tetteh Portuphy, Deputy Director in charge of Forecasting at GMet in an interview on the Channel One Newsroom on Saturday, May 23, said the recent rains are only the beginning of what is expected to be a more intense rainy period, especially by June.
Speaking on the changing weather pattern, he attributed the development partly to the effects of climate change, noting that Ghana experienced a weaker Harmattan season this year.
“It is very usual because it is ushering us into the main rainy season, and if you can look at it this year, we couldn’t enjoy a lot of Harmattan. The hazy conditions and the coldness did not come, so that is one of the things I can say climate change is bringing to us,” he stated.
“So we should brace ourselves. But once this one has started, it is ushering us into the rainy season, meaning more rains to come, this is just the beginning.”
Mr. Portuphy said the real intensity of the rainy season is expected to become evident in June and urged residents in flood-prone communities to take precautionary measures early.
“I believe by June we should see the reality of the rain and then we should brace ourselves for more rains,” he cautioned.
“Everybody knows where they are and when it rains you know how it looks, especially those of us in the low land, there are waterways we should make sure that at least we should move. If we cannot move out then we should move out temporarily then after the rains return.”
His comments come after heavy rains that hit parts of Greater Accra on Friday, May 22, causing widespread flooding, submerging several homes, displacing residents and leaving motorists stranded on major roads.
A Citi News visit to some of the affected communities showed houses inundated with floodwaters, particularly in Alajo, where several residents were forced out of their homes after the downpour.
Other areas, including Mallam, Baah Yard, SCC and Dansoman, also recorded varying levels of flooding, resulting in severe disruptions to vehicular and pedestrian movement.
Motorists in some locations were seen struggling to navigate through waterlogged roads, while traffic built up along major routes as commuters attempted to return home.
Residents affected by the floods reported that the downpour destroyed household items, electrical appliances and other personal belongings.
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