2015 Accra floods

2015 Accra Flooding.oggⓘ

Most part of Accra mostly flooded during rainy season causing environmental crisis in Ghana

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

Kaneshie

The Kaneshie market and its surroundings were submerged, preventing vehicles from moving.[7]

Graphic Road

Graphic 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

Main article: 2015 Accra explosion

On 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

Ghana — 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

References

  1. ^ Gomda, A.R. (3 June 2015). "Rains Wash Accra". Daily Guide. Archived from the original on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  2. ^ "Accra flooded following continuous Rainfall". gbcghana.com. 2 June 2015. Archived from the original on 5 June 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  3. ^ "Floods submerge Accra for the umpteenth time". citifmonline.com. 3 June 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  4. ^ Baiocchi, Francisco (3 June 2015). "Chaos reigns as Accra is submerged by heavy rains". www.graphic.com.gh. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  5. ^ a b "Over 200 killed in Ghana gas station explosion". Zee News. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  6. ^ "Ghana petrol station inferno kills about 150 in Accra". BBC. 5 June 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  7. ^ "Kaneshie floods as cars submerge". ghanaweb.com. 3 June 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  8. ^ "Accra: Taskforce clears unauthorized structures along Graphic Road". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 2021-05-18. Retrieved 2021-05-18.
  9. ^ Kai Lokko, Vivian (4 June 2015). "Accra floods hit Ghana's automobile industry". citifmonline.com. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ Baiocchi, Francisco (4 June 2015). "UPDATE: Disaster! Many dead in fuel station fire". www.graphic.com.gh. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  12. ^ "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.
  13. ^ "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.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ "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.