General News of Monday, 23 February 2015

Source: Daily Guide

Kumasi flooded

A heavy downpour in the wee hours of Sunday caused massive flooding in several parts of Kumasi, the Ashanti regional capital.

The rain started around 3am when most people in the city were asleep in their homes and lasted for close to one hour.

By morning the devastating effects of the rain was clear for all to see, as it caused flooding in certain parts of Kumasi.

Virtually all low areas and places where there are rivers and streams in the city were not spared the scary flooding.

The worst affected areas included Adiembra and Atasemanso, which are first-class residential areas in Kumasi.

High rising waters submerged bridges linking some communities in the city, thereby preventing vehicular movement.

People who reside close to river bodies also suffered the ordeal of water invading their rooms and destroying their property

There were reports of snakes and lizards also making their way into people’s rooms after they were washed by the water.

Vehicles that were parked close to river bodies were also submerged by the flood, causing destruction to them in the process.

The situation was scary during the paper’s visit to the road linking Ahodwo and Atasemanso around 7am on Sunday.

The bridge that links the two areas was inundated by the high rising water, preventing people from moving.

Most residents of the area who spoke to DAILY GUIDE said their sleep was cut short following the rainfall which caused the flooding.

According to the devastated-looking residents, their rooms got flooded so they hurriedly raced from harm’s way to safety.

Nana Dwomoh Sarpong, the President of Friends of River and Water Bodies, an NGO, was seen extending a helping hand to the affected people.

Without mincing words, he accused the city authorities of allowing people to build houses on waterways, noting that it was the cause of the flood.