Meteo predicts more rainstorms

THE Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has asked members of the public to brace themselves up this rainy season because the next one month will be characterised by rainstorms in many areas which could sometimes be devastating.

The department has, therefore, advised the public to pay constant attention to weather forecasts and warnings in order to take the necessary precautions to avoid the loss of lives and property.

The Director of MSD, Mr Franklin P. Mote, told the Graphic in Accra that the department’s seasonal forecasts suggest that the middle belt of the country–Wenchi, Sunyani and Kete Krachi areas–will experience heavy rainfall with thunderstorms.

The sector, Mr Mote indicated, will experience what he termed, “normal to above normal rainfall amounts”. This, he said, means that people in this area should take extreme precautionary measures because trees could be uprooted and roofs ripped off.

The rains in the northern sector –Wa, Navrongo, Bole, Tamale and Yendi–are expected to be near normal but will also be characterised by thunderstorms and strong winds. The sector stands the chance of getting 50 per cent above normal and 30 per cent below normal, Mr Mote said.

In the southern sector, which includes Kumasi, Axim, Takoradi, Abetifi, Koforidua, Akim, Akuse and Ho areas, the rainfall pattern is expected to be normal.

The indications are that the sector will experience 45 per cent of normal rains, 35 per cent below normal and 20 per cent above normal rainfall.

The Eastern Coastal corridor–portions of Sekondi, Accra and Aflao areas –is also expected to experience near normal amount of rainfall during the season.

According to Mr Mote, in June, the country will experience the normal monsoon rains in the coastal and forest areas. Rainfall in the northern regions will, however, be characterised by thunderstorms and strong winds from May up to July, adding that the rains will get to their peak in August.

On the perennial flooding of Accra, an official at the MSD station at the Kotoka International Airport, said looking at the rainfall figures, there should not be flooding in the city.

He, however, stated that due to human activities like indiscriminate dumping of refuse which results in choked gutters, siting of car workshops near gutters, the erection of kiosks on culverts and construction of buildings in watercourses.

The official said if the public could be educated to avoid these practices, flooding in the city would be averted. According to Mr Mote, the MSD has a representative on the Greater Accra Anti-Floods Management Committee.