A total of 35 bodies have so far been retrieved from floodwaters following the worst flood disaster in recent years that hit most parts of Ghana last Sunday.

As by Tuesday morning, volunteers and rescue teams have retrieved 19 bodies from the floods in Tema, a port city 25 km east of the capital Accra, and of Dawhenya, 15 km east of Tema. Four bodies were found in the suburbs of the capital city and 12 in Agona Swedru, 80 km west of Accra.

Officials of the Meteorological Agency said the downpour, which averaged between 24 and 85 mm in southern Ghana, was the highest recorded and the worst flood disaster in recent times in the West African country.

Local media reported that the heavy rainstorms and the floods that followed had caused extensive damage to movable and immovable property at the affected areas and beyond and left thousands of residents displaced.

Officials feared that the death toll might go up as rescuing work continued in the affected areas south of the country.

In a telephone interview with Xinhua Tuesday morning, deputy coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organization Emmanuel Dosu said they had difficulties in reaching some victims with relief items as most of the roads had been rendered unmotorable.