One of the affected houses submerged by the flood
A downpour has wreaked havoc at Owhim Tigo Junction in the Ashanti Region, displacing more than 100 residents after floodwaters submerged over 23 houses and destroyed several properties.
The rains, which started around 6:30 p.m. and lasted for hours, caused flash floods that swept through low-lying parts of the community, forcing residents to flee their homes for safety.
According to affected residents, the floodwaters rose rapidly after drains in the area became choked and unable to contain the volume of water.
The victims said they escaped with only the clothes they were wearing as water flooded their rooms and destroyed household items.
Properties including furniture, electronic appliances, bedding, foodstuffs and important documents were either washed away or damaged beyond use.
Several mud and block houses built along waterways collapsed due to the force of the floodwaters, while others developed deep cracks and weakened foundations.
The displaced residents reportedly spent the night with relatives and neighbours in nearby communities after their homes became uninhabitable.
Some victims lamented that they had lost properties and investments accumulated over many years, and appealed to authorities and benevolent organisations for urgent assistance.
The Bantama Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Nana Gyasi Acheampong, who visited the area to assess the level of destruction, described the situation as devastating.
He stressed the need for immediate relief support for the affected families and disclosed that a detailed report would be submitted to the regional office of NADMO to facilitate assistance for the victims.
FROM David Afum, Owhim