Adaklu: A severe mudslide on Wednesday destroyed properties worth thousands of Ghana Cedis at Adaklu Helekpe in the Adaklu district of the Volta region. The mudslide happened during a torrential rainfall that lasted for over five hours.
According to Ghana News Agency, the mudslide created a deep gorge from the top to the foot of the Adaklu mountain, through which water was gushing. Properties destroyed included vehicles, agricultural machinery, buildings, and personal effects. A woman and her three-year-old boy were injured during the mudslide and were admitted at the Ho Teaching Hospital.
A government delegation visited the community on Thursday to ascertain the extent of the damage and to express their sympathy to the affected people. The delegation included Mr. Governs Kwame Agbodza, Minister for Roads and Highways and Member of Parliament for Adaklu, Mr. James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister, and Mr. Jerry Yao Ameko, Adaklu District Chief Executive. They were guided by Rev. Jacob Reddekopp, who was worst affected, and Mr. Mark Dodzi Hoenyekor, Assemblyman for Adaklu Helekpe Electoral Area and Presiding Member of the Adaklu District Assembly.
Mr. Agbodza advised the people to refrain from cutting down trees on the mountain and setting fire on it, noting that while natural disasters happen, destroying the vegetative cover could also lead to such occurrences. He recalled a similar incident that occurred some years back but noted that the intensity of the recent event was higher. He urged the community leadership to implement measures to prevent a reoccurrence and advised residents with houses at the foot of the mountain to relocate to safer areas.
Mr. Gunu praised the youth of the community for their efforts in rescuing those trapped in the mud. He suggested that the incident could be attributed to climate change and encouraged residents to report any unusual signs on the mountain to NADMO. He assured that he, Mr. Agbodza, and Mr. Ameko would collaborate to assist those affected by the mudslide and mentioned plans to contact the Geological Survey Department and NADMO for feasibility studies to determine the cause.
Mr. Jerry Ameko recommended the temporary closure of the school near the affected area. The delegation later visited the injured at the Ho Teaching Hospital, wishing them a speedy recovery and promising assistance with their medical bills.