The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) has advised Ghanaians to expect heavier and more frequent rains in the coming weeks as the country approaches the peak of the rainy season.
In an interview with Channel One Newsroom on Saturday, May 23, Joseph Tetteh Portuphy, Deputy Director in charge of Forecasting at GMet, stated that the current rains are just the start of what is anticipated to be a more intense rainy period, particularly by June.
Speaking about the shifting weather patterns, he noted that Ghana had a weaker Harmattan season this year and linked the trend in part to the consequences of climate change.
“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 said.
Mr. Portuphy advised locals in flood-prone areas to take preventative action as soon as possible, stating that the true strength of the rainy season is anticipated to become apparent in June.
“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. I believe by June we should see the reality of the rain and then we should brace ourselves for more rains,” he warned.
“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 remarks follow Friday, May 22, when severe rains caused significant flooding in sections of Greater Accra, drowning many homes, uprooting inhabitants, and stranding drivers on important roadways.
A visit by Citi News to some of the impacted areas revealed homes submerged in floodwaters, especially in Alajo, where a number of people were displaced following the rainstorm.
Different degrees of water were also observed in Mallam, Baah Yard, SCC, and Dansoman, which severely disrupted traffic and pedestrian flow.
As commuters tried to get home, traffic backed up along main routes, and motorists in certain areas were observed having difficulty navigating through flooded roads.
Residents who were impacted by the floods said that their personal goods, including electrical equipment and home objects, were ruined by the downpour.
Source: newsthemegh.com