Hundreds of people have been displaced in Ghana’s capital Accra after torrential rains continue to wreck havoc in parts of the country.
The rains have increased the water level in the Weija Dam which is the main water treatment plant in the capital.
The dam is currently at a level of 49.5 feet as against the maximum operating level of 48 feet. Spillage normally begins when the level gets to 46.5 feet.
As a result, four spill gates have been opened to safeguard the integrity of the dam, save the dam from collapse, and save lives and properties.
Homes and businesses have been submerged as the water from the spillage exercise floods several communities including Tetegu, New Weija, SCC, Tatop, Sampa Valley, parts of Top Town and American Farm at Ngleshie Amanfro.
Some of the victims have abandoned their properties to put up with relatives and friends whilst others are living at the mercy of the weather.
The victims are counting their losses as properties running into millions of Ghana cedis have been destroyed.
“I have lost everything. I have been living here for 17 years but I have not experienced any disaster like this before. I could not salvage anything apart from the few clothes I have in this hand bag. We need assistance from the government”, a victim lamented.
The flooding has also disrupted power supply to the affected areas as the Electricity Company of Ghana takes what it called a precautionary measure to avoid electrocution and fire.
Some fishermen also took advantage of the situation to cash in by charging residents to help them retrieve some of their property.
The National Disaster Management Organisation(NADMO) has toured the affected areas to begin the distribution of relief items. City authorities have also served notice of demolition structures on water ways to prevent a recurrence.
In the Eastern Region, flooding has destroyed properties in some communities as major rivers overflow banks. Reports suggest that some lives have been lost.
Last month, the spillage of excess water from the Bagre dam in Burkina Faso also flooded some parts of northern Ghana. It destroyed hundreds of acres of farmlands and produce.
Source: Africafeeds.com
