Parts of Keta flooded after Wednesday’s hours of heavy downpour 

Some parts of Keta township of the Volta Region have been submerged in flood water following hours of heavy rainfall that displaced residents, destroyed property, and disrupted livelihoods.

The devastating situation that took place in early hours of Wednesday, May 6, was described as one of the worst to hit the area in recent times with floodwater and run-offs overwhelming drainage systems and inundating homes, shops and major roads.

Mr Philip Abotsi, the Keta Municipal Deputy of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that residents including the elderly, women, and children, were forced to abandon their belongings and seek safety on higher ground as waters rapidly rose in residential and commercial areas.

“Some affected households reported that items such as furniture, foodstuffs, electronics, clothing, and other valuables, have been submerged in the flood,” he said.

He explained that the floods also damaged community roads and pathways which made access to some of the worst-hit communities difficult and hampered emergency and relief efforts.

He said that the Keta Municipal Assembly and NADMO were assessing the damage and would provide the necessary information and support to the affected individuals and institutions as soon as possible.

Areas such as Dzelukope, Nukpesekope, Tetekope, and Vui, among others, have been affected by the devastating situation which calls for urgent attention to enable residents to go on their normal daily activities.

Mr Richard Aba, a resident of Dzelukope, blamed the situation on the years of neglect of drainage infrastructure, choked gutters, and poor town planning mechanisms, and appealed to the government and the Keta Municipal Assembly to act decisively.

“Every year it is the same story. Our homes get flooded, we lose valuables, and after a few days, everyone forgets about us. We need a proper drainage system to at least mitigate the situation.”

The GNA gathered that several other offices of various institutions, including Ambulance Service, Fire Service, Environmental Service, Legal Aid, Zoomlion, Agric Directorate, Narcotics Control Authority, National Identification Authority, National Commission for Civic Education, and NADMO, were also submerged after the rain.

Mr Emmanuel Tordzro of the Keta Ambulance Service, said Keta's vulnerability to both sea erosion and inland flooding require urgent investment in infrastructure, coastal defence, and land use planning.

He urged NADMO and other relevant authorities to provide immediate relief and accelerate long-term flood mitigation measures to end the cycle of annual flooding in the municipality.

GNA