GMet Issues Urgent Warning: Intense Rainstorm with Thunderstorms and Flooding to Hit Ghana Today
The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) has issued an Impact-Based Weather Warning for Sunday, October 12, 2025, alerting residents to a major rainstorm moving westward from Nigeria and Benin, bringing high-impact thunderstorms, varying rainfall intensities, and widespread flooding risks across the country.
The storm, valid from 0130 UTC (1:30 a.m. GMT), is expected to produce moderate to strong winds, potentially causing flash floods in low-lying areas nationwide. GMet’s forecast, issued at 0000 UTC, classifies the event as a High Impact (E) risk, urging immediate public action to mitigate dangers.
Regional Breakdown and Risks
Using a risk matrix, GMet detailed impacts across Ghana’s three belts:
Region Group
Valid Time (UTC)
Predicted Impact Level
Required Public Action
Northern & Upper Regions (Northern, North East, Upper East, Savannah, Upper West)
0130 – 0600
High (E)
Take Action / Be Prepared
Middle Belt (Oti, Volta, Bono East, Eastern, Ashanti, Bono)
0230 – 0600
High (E)
Take Action / Be Prepared
Coastal Belt (Central, Greater Accra, Western)
0300 – 0600
High (E)
Take Action / Be Prepared
The storm’s path could overwhelm drainage systems, exacerbate urban flooding, and disrupt travel, especially in vulnerable areas like Accra and Kumasi, where recent downpours have already caused chaos.
Public Safety Recommendations
GMet advised:
Avoid outdoor activities during the storm.
Seek substantial shelter if caught outside.
Stay indoors away from windows during thunderstorms.
Unplug electrical appliances to prevent lightning damage.
Drivers: Reduce speed, use headlights, and avoid flooded roads.
The warning comes amid Ghana’s rainy season peak, with similar alerts in September causing widespread inundation. Authorities, including NADMO, are on standby, but experts urge proactive infrastructure upgrades to curb annual losses from flooding.
