Severe floods hit Ghana’s Upper East Region

Severe flooding affecting Ghana's Upper East Region this month has left at least five people dead and around 1 700 homes damaged or destroyed, according to the preliminary data from the Regional Directorate of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).

In the first half of September, floods damaged 1 596 homes in several districts and destroyed 156, along with over 2 500 ha (6 200 acres) of farmland.

397 of the damaged houses were in Nabdam, 273 in Talensi, 215 in Tempane, 154 in Bawku, 146 in Bolgatanga East District, 128 in Pusiga, 126 in Builsa South, 112 in Bongo, and 45 in Bolgatanga Municipality.

A total of 7 651 people have been affected in the region, including 544 in Bolgatanga. 196 have been displaced in Talensi, 72 in Bolgatanga East, 48 in Bolgatanga Municipality, and eight in Builsa South.

At least five fatalities were reported— three of which were in the Binduri District, and one each in the districts of Talensi and Builsa.

Seven others sustained injuries, three of which were from the Bolgatanga Municipality and two each in the districts of Pusiga and Binduri.

"The major problem we are now faced with is the Kobore Bridge that has literally been eroded, a distance of about 20 to 30 m (65 to 98 feet) has been destroyed," said NADMO regional director Jerry Asamani.

He added that Upper East Deputy Regional Minister Frank Fuseini Adongo, along with other officials, visited the bridge and reported that the water was gradually subsiding.

Meanwhile, Asamani debunked stories that children drowned in floods at Bawku West District. 

"One of the unofficial boats capsized with about five occupants including; minors, the minors were really endangered, but were rescued with the help of the people around," he explained.

The Volta River Authority and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company organized a donation ceremony to assist flood victims.

Julie Celestial

This author does not have any more posts.