Regional News of Tuesday, 11 July 2017

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Flood destroys properties in Elubo

The flood caused destruction properties and brought activities in affected towns to a standstill The flood caused destruction properties and brought activities in affected towns to a standstill

Elubo and its surroundings in the Jomoro District of the Western Region was heavily flooded on Sunday, July 09, 2017 after nearly five hours of torrential rainfall.

Various homes, stores, offices, and other valuable properties were destroyed, leaving many people without places to sleep.

Most of the affected areas were at the Elubo Zongo community, Ghana Nugua and Elubo market.

A visit to Elubo Zongo community, revealed that the entire community was flooded as the sludge invaded homes.

Daniel Kaku (freelance journalist) can confirm that about seven vehicles were towed from their parking places by the flood currents, but were eventually blocked by some structures.

Some walls were razed down by the flood whereas properties like television sets, home theatres, carpets, cooking utensils and mattresses were seen floating on water.

About 150 houses were affected by the flood and displaced about 500 people.

Some of the affected residents who spoke to the reporter, Daniel Kaku, intimated that but for their presence, their kids would have been drowned.

According to them, the water level in their rooms was up to the knee and they had to use buckets to draw off the water.

They also said some drains had been choked with garbage and blame authorities who have failed to pay heed to their calls to desilt the drains.

"Everything in our rooms were soaked in the water while we watched helpless because the houses and the entire compounds had been flooded"

"We are appealing to the government to come to our aid, we don't have anywhere to sleep, we are homeless now", the residents lamented.

Visiting the scene, the Member of Parliament for Jomoro constituency who doubles as a Deputy Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon Paul Essien expressed his displeasure over the flood.

The lawmaker appealed to the affected residents to remain calm because he and the government were working hand in hand to support them with relief items.

Hon Paul Essien promised them Two Thousand (2000) bags of cement to the affected residents indicating that these cements would help to re-build their collapsed structures.

"On behalf of the good people of Jomoro District, I say sorry to you all and as an MP I'm going to make sure you get comfortable places to sleep, for now I have Two Thousand bags of cement for you", Hon Paul Essien assured.

Hon Paul Essien also added that he was going to inform National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) about the flood so that they could also come to the aid of affected residents.

He said there was the need for the construction of proper drains at Elubo especially the affected areas to avoid any unforseen future mishap.