The 2015 Accra floods resulted from heavy continuous rainfall in Accra, the largest city in Ghana.[1] The rain started on 1 June 2015. Other causes of this flood is as a result of the improper planning of settlement in Accra, choked gutters which block the drainage system and a few other human factors. The floods have resulted in heavy traffic on the roads in the city and also a halt in commercial activities as markets were flooded and workers trapped.[2][3] Mayor of Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Alfred Oko Vanderpuije described the flooding as critical.[4] At least 25 people have died from the flooding directly, while a petrol station explosion caused by the flooding killed at least 200 more people.[5][6]
Affected areas
editKaneshie
editThe Kaneshie market and its surroundings were submerged, preventing vehicles from moving.[7]
Graphic Road
editGraphic Road, home to some automobile companies and a hub for scrap dealers and other squatters,[8] was heavily flooded. The Toyota Ghana and Rana Motors showrooms were completely submerged.[9][10]
GOIL fire
editOn June 3, 2015, a GOIL fuel station near Kwame Nkrumah Interchange burnt with people and vehicles in the vicinity.[11] The fire also burnt a Forex Bureau and Pharmacy nearby.[12] Over 200[5] people were feared dead and bodies have been moved to the 37 Military Hospital. The hospital later announced they are unable to hold more bodies.[13][14] The cause of the fire was yet to be determined. On 4 June 2015 the Mayor of Accra Alfred Vanderpuije, Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey, Nii Armah Ashitey and President John Mahama visited the scene.[15]
Response
edit
— President Mahama declared 3 days' national mourning for the victims affected by the flood and explosion. The government also released GH₵ 60 million to support victims.[16][17]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Gomda, A.R. (3 June 2015). "Rains Wash Accra". Daily Guide. Archived from the original on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
- ^ "Accra flooded following continuous Rainfall". gbcghana.com. 2 June 2015. Archived from the original on 5 June 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
- ^ "Floods submerge Accra for the umpteenth time". citifmonline.com. 3 June 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
- ^ Baiocchi, Francisco (3 June 2015). "Chaos reigns as Accra is submerged by heavy rains". www.graphic.com.gh. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
- ^ a b "Over 200 killed in Ghana gas station explosion". Zee News. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
- ^ "Ghana petrol station inferno kills about 150 in Accra". BBC. 5 June 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
- ^ "Kaneshie floods as cars submerge". ghanaweb.com. 3 June 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
- ^ "Accra: Taskforce clears unauthorized structures along Graphic Road". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 2021-05-18. Retrieved 2021-05-18.
- ^ Kai Lokko, Vivian (4 June 2015). "Accra floods hit Ghana's automobile industry". citifmonline.com. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
- ^ Afanyi Dadzie, Ebenezer (4 June 2015). "Photo: The impact of Accra's floods on businesses is depicted here". TV3 Ghana. Archived from the original on 2015-06-04. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
- ^ Baiocchi, Francisco (4 June 2015). "UPDATE: Disaster! Many dead in fuel station fire". www.graphic.com.gh. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
- ^ "Accra Floods: Over 80 People Dead In Goil Filling Station Fire". peacefmonline.com. 4 June 2015. Archived from the original on 4 June 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
- ^ "Accra floods: More than 100 feared dead after explosion". Daily Guide. 4 June 2015. Archived from the original on 7 July 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
- ^ O'Connor, Roisin (4 June 2015). "Accra floods: More than 70 people reported dead after petrol station fire in Ghana's capital city". The Independent. Archived from the original on 4 June 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
- ^ Abass Daabu, Malik (4 June 2015). "Floods: We must make sure this doesn't happen again - Mahama". myjoyonline.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
- ^ Gadugah, Nathan (4 June 2015). "Floods: Mahama declares 3 days of mourning". Myjoyonline.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
- ^ "President Mahama Announces 3-days of National Mourning & 60 Million GH. Cedis to Support Flood Victims". gbcghana.com. 4 June 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-06-06. Retrieved 4 June 2015.