General News of Monday, 27 May 2013

Source: Joy Online

Update: Parts of Accra flooded after severe rain

Some parts of the capital city have been seriously flooded after heavy rains last night and this morning. A number of properties have also been destroyed.

The dawn rain which started around 4:30 am was accompanied by a storm and fell heavily for well over 45 minutes.

Parts of the roads in Accra, particularly around Weija, Ashaiman were left unmotorable but there have not been any reports of casualties yet.

Joy News’ Beatrice Adu who toured some of the affected areas said at the Kasoa Toll Booth for instance, mud had been washed onto the highway. Part of the road has also been covered by the flood.

At the SCC, homes and stores were flooded to kneel level, she said, as residents frantically scooped the flood waters.

“The whole thing is terrible, terrible I can’t even explain” a frustrated resident told Joy News, adding that peoples’ personal effects have been damaged and “everything is gone”.

According to a resident at SCC, they live in a precarious situation and have reported the “problem more than 20 times” to the authorities.

Another person who owns a cement shop said about 2000 bags of cement have been destroyed.

In a related development, over two million Ghanaians will be flood victims as the rains set in.

That is according to the co-coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organization Kofi Portuphy.

Though he says they are prepared to mitigate the impact of the anticipated disaster, he is however worried they may not have relief items to supply to such victims.

Kofi Portuphy has told JOY News they currently lack resources to even buy tents for some people who have already been affected by the rains.

The NADMO boss is however hoping government will come to their aid with relief items.