Thousands displaced by floodwaters in southeast Ghana
By Francis Kobena Tandoh
Thousands of residents in the Hohoe municipality of the Volta region (province), east of the Ghanaian capital, have been displaced after River Dayi burst its banks, affecting more than 400 houses, local media reported on Tuesday.
According to the Member of Parliament (MP) for Hohoe, Thomas Worlanyo Tsekpor, rainfall in parts of neighboring Togo is contributing to rising floodwaters in the municipality, despite a break in the rain in the area.
Several communities along the river have been hit by the flooding, with the Zongo community reported to be underwater, leaving residents displaced as floodwaters spread through homes and surrounding areas.
“The major cause is the torrential rains in Togo. It has been raining in Hohoe for months now, but not to this magnitude. It has rained continuously, so the load from Togo that joined the Hohoe rains led the river to overflow, causing what we are seeing,” Tsekpor told local media.
Some of those affected are reported to have been temporarily accommodated in nearby classrooms while authorities work to find more suitable shelter.
“The flooding has displaced more than 3,000 residents, and over 700 affected people are now sheltering in classrooms, according to the MP. It’s overwhelming; the MP and the municipal chief executive (MCE) alone cannot handle it; in fact, we are unable; we are calling for support,” he added.
The legislator commended the country’s National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and the security agencies for assisting in the evacuation of residents from affected areas.
He further stated the situation remained unstable, as water levels continued to rise despite the cessation of heavy rainfall. He called for sustained emergency support as authorities work to provide shelter and protect residents in the affected communities. Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report
