General News of Sunday, 20 June 2010

Source: GNA

Two die from severe floods

Accra, June 20, GNA - Government has confirmed the death of two pers ons from severe floods that washed through the eastern part of the Greater Ac cra Region on Sunday. The floods, which resulted from several hours of rains on Sunday affected several communities including Ashaiman, Lakeside estates at Asha ley Botwe, parts of Afienya, Dawhenya, Tema Newtown, Klagon and Lashibi.

A statement signed by Mr. James Agyenim-Boateng, a Deputy Minister for Information, copied GNA, said that the Rapid Response Team of the Nationa l Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has been on a search and rescue mission since the morning of Sunday. It said "They have been actively supported by the 48 Engineers Regim ent of the Ghana Army and their collaborative efforts have greatly reduced th e number of human casualties".

The statement cautioned especially motorists driving in the Klagon- Ashiaman, Tema Aflao road, Ashaley Botwe, Katamanso and Afienya areas to be extra careful.

It said that the two persons, who have been confirmed dead were trap ped under the Ashiaman tunnel beneath the Accra-Tema Motorway and it is important that motorists in the areas mentioned, exercise caution while driving. The statement quoted NADMO's National Coordinator as saying that the

flooding in the Ashaley Botwe area which also affected parts of Ashiaman resulted from a burst dam within the vicinity of the Lakeside estates. It expressed government's sympathy with all those who have lost thei r relatives and property, noting that "NADMO will be conducting an assessme nt to enable us determine how best to assist the families that have been affected by the floods." 20 June 10