El Nino! El Nina! El .......?????? At this time of the year, the coastal region of Ghana expect to experience a minor rainy season. However, this year, while there was far less than the normal dose of rainfall during the traditional heavy rainy season, it seems that the opposite will true for the minor season.

Late Friday afternoon (October 23), it began to rain. What a relief! said many. Less dust. Good for crops grown during the minor season. Now, we shall have more water in the Volta Dam.

The rains eased off a bit by 8:00 P.M., but even the short spell of rain was not without problems. Several areas in the city were already flooded. It was a nightmare for both residents of low-lying, flood-prone areas, and for motorists who tried frantically to "revive" their stalled vehicles, especially at the Tetteh Quarshie Circle area. The writer sat through the entire "first half" of rain, lightning and thunder in his stalled car.

Then the rains resumed, and they continued until after 9:00 am the next day. It was nothing but trouble. And it is still trouble even today, Monday, October 26.

Some residents are holed up in their homes, which are now like islands in the sea. We are talking about "notorious" areas such as Mallam, Gbawe, Alajo, Avenor, valley area of McCarthy Hill, Dansoman, and New Achimota. Others are still trying to salvage some of their earthly belongings collecting some from downstream, or drying some in the sun.

At least five residents of the city can no longer share in any of the activities mentioned above. They perished in the flood waters. By Sarpei Nunoo for GRi