General News of Wednesday, 30 October 2002

Source: gna

Tidal waves displace over 500 at Keta

Ho (Volta Region) -- About 537 people at Kedzikope in the Keta district have been displaced and rendered homeless by high tidal waves, which inundated the area, about three weeks ago.

About 50 houses have been submerged in water, while 20 others have been destroyed as a result of the devastation of the sea waves. Michael Aglah, Keta District Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) told the Ghana News Agency that similar disasters occurred in June, this year, which rendered about 325 people homeless.

He attributed the devastation of the tidal waves, which occurred at the eastern side of the groins, particularly between the sixth and seventh groins at the construction site of the Keta Sea defence.

Aglah said NADMO Emergency Rescue Operation and Evacuation team was on site, assisting the displaced. He said relief items made up of tents, food, blankets, mattresses as well as plastic plates and cups have already been distributed to the first batch of victims while assistance was being sought for the second batch. He, therefore, appealed to individuals, religious, governmental and non-governmental organisations to come to the aid of the people.