GMet warns of heavy rains and flooding, urges coastal residents to take precautions

The Ghana Meteorological Agency has warned of above-average rainfall. This warning is especially for coastal areas. Residents are urged to take necessary precautions.

Joseph Porturphy, Deputy Director of Forecasting at GMet, shared details on JoyNews' The Pulse show. He stated that intense rainfall is expected from April to October. There is a high risk of flooding in low-lying and coastal regions.

“The eastern coast of Ghana will see above-normal rainfall,” Mr. Porturphy said. This includes areas from the Central Region to Aflao. He noted that this year's rainfall will exceed the past two years.

Residents along the eastern coast should prepare for heavy rain. Affected areas include Aflao, Ada, Tema, Accra, Kasoa, Winneba, and parts of Cape Coast.

The main rainy season will last until early July. Rainfall will continue through August and September with a brief dry spell in between. Rains will return at the end of September and last into November before Harmattan begins in December.

Mr. Porturphy stressed the need for preparation ahead of the rains. “Now is the time to clear blocked gutters,” he advised. Structures on railway lines should be removed as well.

He also urged people not to throw rubbish in gutters since they are already narrowed. “Our forecast is currently 80% accurate,” he concluded. When we issue a warning, it means we expect similar conditions based on past observations.