Scenes from the rains
Torrential rains on Monday caused so much destruction and inconveniences in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital.
A similar appalling situation was experienced in the Greater Accra Region, as the deluge created so much inconvenience at the Tema Motorway, Legon, Kaneshie, Odorkor, Awoshie, La Paz and other suburbs.
The monetary value of destroyed properties in Accra alone has not been worked out, yet it is thought to be enormous.
In the heat of the rainy season earlier in March or April, a soldier, his female colleague and his wife lost their lives when they were swept away by a swollen stream as they tried to cross a bridge over the strong currents.
May, June and July have not had as much downpours in some parts of the country as being experienced now.
With the Ghana Meteorological Agency’s forecast of more rains in the next two weeks, residents in low-lying areas in especially Accra must brace themselves for further inconveniences in the coming days. The unusual October/November downpours have woken many to the reality of climate change.
From Kumasi, reports have it that 12 children below the age of 10 have been killed in flood-related incidents in the past 40 days.
Monday’s downpour reportedly washed away an eight-year-old boy at Moshie Zongo in Kumasi.
Kwabena Nsenkyire, the Ashanti Regional NADMO Coordinator, who made the alarming disclosure, said he was sad over the appalling situation.
According to him, virtually all the victims got drowned or were washed away by floodwaters after it had rained heavily in the Ashanti Regional capital.
Without mincing words, Mr. Nsenkyire attributed the spate of flood deaths, especially among innocent children, to lack of leadership in the city.
“We have been sitting down aloof for people to mount kiosks all over the high streets in the city, thereby denying pedestrians their right to even walk in the city. Also, most of the people have built their houses in waterways and along streams directly under the watch of city authorities, leading to the floods,” he pointed out.
He said the current trend whereby city authorities illegally re-zone lands for people to build in unapproved areas must stop else the flood deaths would not stop anytime soon.
From I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi, with Additional Files from Accra