Chaos and uncertainty gripped communities in Weija, Accra, after a controlled spillage from the Weija Dam left hundreds of homes underwater and thousands of residents stranded.
The sudden flooding, which began after Ghana Water Limited (GWL) opened all spill gates, forced many families to flee for safety, abandoning homes and treasured belongings.
The crisis unfolded after GWL announced on May 27, 2026, that water levels in the dam had surged above 48 feet, well beyond safe operating limits, due to persistent heavy rainfall. In an official statement, the utility company explained that the decision to release excess water was a necessary precaution to protect the dam’s structural integrity and prevent a catastrophic overflow.
According to GWL, controlled spillage is a standard safety measure activated when intense inflows threaten to overwhelm the dam’s capacity. However, the move has come at a high cost for the surrounding communities, which have been inundated by floodwaters. Streets have turned into rivers, homes have been engulfed, and residents could be seen wading through chest-high water, clutching whatever items they could salvage.
With the scale of devastation still unfolding, emergency response teams are mobilizing to assess the damage and bring relief to those affected. Authorities have pledged to intensify rescue and support operations in the coming days as Weija’s residents face the daunting task of rebuilding their lives after the flood.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com