At least 13 killed, thousands affected after flash flooding hits Ghana

At least 13 killed and thousands affected after torrential rains swept through large parts of Ghana triggering flash flooding.

The fire service said three of the victims were women, eight were men and one was a child.

The officials informed more than 470 people have been rescued so far adding that more causalities are expected.

President John Dramani Mahama said it was the highest rainfall recorded in years. Preliminary data showed about 140 mm of rain had fallen on its capital Accra.

Ghana's officials informed.

The scale of rainfall was driven by changing climate conditions, Mahama said, adding it was beyond the government's control.

Accra floods regularly during the rainy season, with poor ‌drainage, unauthorized construction on waterways and inadequate urban planning routinely cited as worsening the impact of heavy rains.

In a statement on Tuesday, the government spokesperson said 300 million cedis ($27 million) would be released for flood relief efforts.

The president also ordered the deployment of Ghana Armed Forces and police personnel to support the National Disaster Management Organization NADMO and other security services in rescue and relief operations across the capital.

As reported neighboring Ivory Coast has also been hit by heavy rains.

Authorities are assessing the impact as affected residents continue to deal with the aftermath of the floods.

The Ghana National Fire Service informed on Tuesday that rescue operations are still under way.