Rainstorm Wreaks Havoc In Accra, 8 Vehicles Mangled, One Person Injured

A heavy downpour, accompanied by strong winds that hits Accra in the early hours of yesterday Monday, May 6, 2024, has led to several vehicles and properties destroyed, leaving one person in a critical condition.

The rainstorm, which started at about 8:30am, uprooted trees, torn-down branches, with advertisement billboards bowing to the storm at various locations in the nation’s capital, thereby causing heavy vehicular traffic.

Even though, the rain did not last for hours, the extent of the damage caused to properties through the fallen trees, was scary.

At Cantonments for instance, close to the Italian Embassy in Accra, two persons escaped death by a whisker, after a huge tree fell on a motor rider and an SUV vehicle.

The driver of the SUV, who is a military officer, was said to have escaped unharmed, but the motorcycle rider, sustained leg injuries and was rushed to the Police Hospital in Osu for treatment.

Reports indicate, the military officer’s vehicle, intended to negotiate a curve, but the motorbike rider behind him attempted to overtake.

The accident caused heavy vehicular traffic in the area.

At the time of the incident, personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) and Department of Parks and Gardens, were called to swiftly handle the situation by cutting the fallen down trees into pieces to clear the road.

Some of the motorists, were seen parking their vehicles for safety, fearing more trees along the streets could fall on them.

Airport Area

Meanwhile, the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) area, was also not spared in the havoc, as nearly ten vehicles, suffered damage due to fallen trees.

Vehicles parked around the Landing Restaurant were completely mangled, after trees collapsed on them. Fortunately, there were no occupants in the vehicles at the time of the incident.

A video shared by Accra-based TV3 on its social media pages, showed vehicles severely damaged by some fallen trees near the Landing Restaurant at Airport.

The video showed, for instance, a Toyota Corolla, trapped under huge tree trunks. The top part of the car, including the bonnet and the roof, was completely destroyed.

A Toyota Vitz, was also struck by several trees. One of the trees was seen resting on the car, which had its backside extensively damaged.

No injuries were reported from the incident at Airport.

Prune Trees

Dr Daniel Kingsford Adams, Director of the Department of Parks and Gardens, has advised Ghanaians to prune their trees in time to prevent accidents, particularly during the rainy season.

“We are in the rainy season and this time we’ve been told that it will come with a great storm. If you have trees in your area, try and prune them. I advise that you come to Parks and Gardens for us to do a professional pruning for you to save lives and property,” he told the media after the incident.

He advised homeowners and estate developers building along key cities and towns roadways, to contact the Department for professional assistance, when they want to build a fence wall or excavate a drainage system.

Source: Anchorghana.com