Anxiety, fear, panic as another rainstorm lashes southern Ghana

Accra, Oct. 31, GNA – There was anxiety, fear and panic among residents in Accra on Sunday night as another rainstorm lashed southern Ghana.

The flashes of lighting and rumbling of thunder made residents sit on tenterhooks throughout the night as bitter memories of last Wednesday's floods haunted them.

But, thank heavens, the rain did not cause much havoc this time, although the level of streams, rivers and drains rose considerably and garbage was strewn on their various courses.

“Our house was flooded last Wednesday, so when the rain started at about midnight on Sunday, we were up to make sure we salvaged some property in case there is a repeat” a middle-aged woman who lives at Awoshie in Accra told GNA.

The intensity of the rain was far lower than the torrential downpour that inflicted pain, damage and death last week. At least nine people died, thousands of people were displaced and property running into millions of cedis was destroyed in the Wednesday floods.

The Ghana Meteorological Agency said for Sunday night's rain, Accra had 14.9mm of rain; Tema - 3.3; Kumasi - 14.1; Akuse - 1.2; Akatsi 8.2; Sefwi-Bekwai - 2.7; Koforidua - 27.8; Nsuatere 17.0; Bonsu - 12.0, Goaso- 5.1 and Asamankese 11.9.

Last week, Mamprobi Polyclinic had 124.9mm of water; Pokoase, 125.8mm; Accra Academy, 107.8; St Mary's Senior High Secondary School 81.8; Osu 70.7 and National Archives 110.9

President John Evans Atta Mills, at a meeting at the Castle with Mr Alfred Vanderpuije, after touring the flood-hit areas, said the government would commit funds to build storm drains in all flood-prone areas in Accra.

President Mills said the decision to urgently commit the resources was informed by the need for the effective implementation of disaster risk reduction measures to prevent or reduce the effects of disaster.

Mr Vanderpuije said about 500 million Ghana cedis would be needed to free the city of the deadly perennial floods.

GNA