ACCRA, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Some major cities and towns in Ghana were submerged on Sunday following over 12 hours of torrential rain, partially paralyzing traffic in some areas.

       Major roads in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, and the eastern port city of Tema were flooded, making it difficult for motorists to ply the road, and leaving some commuters stranded.

       Eric Adade, a 48-year-old commercial driver, who was heading toward Accra from Tema at the time, had to park his vehicle on the roadside due to the volume of running water on the road and poor visibility.

       "It is quite difficult to drive in this rain hence I have decided to park and wait for it to subside a little before I continue," he said. "I don't joke with my safety."

       In Tema, major lorry stations and bus stops were full of stranded passengers eager to reach their destinations.

       The Ghana Police Service late Saturday issued a flood alert, warning drivers to avoid some roads in the capital and asking the public to remain indoors.

       Flooding often affects low-lying Accra and its environs, partly due to poor drainage systems.