Floods Hit Accra

Residence removing their wares at Adabraka

Residents of some areas in Accra have been forced out of their homes by floods after Thursday evening's torrential rainfall, even though casualties are yet to be recorded.

Several low-lying houses around the Odaw drain and Adabraka were submerged.

The late evening downpour, accompanied by thunder and lightning, started around 9.30pm and stopped at about 1.00am in the morning.

A visit to some badly-hit areas showed the effect of the floods as residents were bringing out their wares, including soaked mattresses and furniture, to dry them outside.

The rain is believed to have caused damage running into several thousands of Ghana cedis, though authorities are yet to state the cost.

National Coordinator of the National Disaster and Management Organization (NADMO), Kofi Portuphy, told DAILY GUIDE that his organization was informed by the Metrological Service Department that there would be a pattern and therefore his outfit was ready for the situation.

He said at about 11:10pm, the organization had a distress call from Korle Gonno so they swiftly attended to residents there.

Other areas that were hit by the floods, he said, were Pantang OB Down, Coca-cola Spintex Road, Dome Kwabenya, Weija Junction, Dansoman, Haatso and Agbogba.

Mr. Portuphy also told DAILY GUIDE that they were working with the police and 48 (Military) Regiment to provide relief items to victims.

He however complained about illegal constructions on waterways, especially at Dome Born Again road.

'These shops block the rainwater and cause the area to be flooded,' he said.

He later called on the city authorities and the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing to undertake constructional activities to direct the water to make sure they get into the appropriate drains.

Advising the general public, he said, 'When it rains and you know you are in a flood-prone area move into safer grounds.'

Over the past decade, floods have claimed several lives, and destroyed properties worth several millions of cedis.