Accra: The Central Region has recorded 1,172 hydro-meteorological disasters since Tuesday, impacting seven of the region's 22 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies. The disasters, which include floods, rainstorms, and windstorms, have resulted in damage to 138 houses, including two basic schools.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Emmanuel Kwesi Dawood, the Regional Director, reported that Assin South and Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese had initially recorded 55 victims and damage to 20 structures, and 80 victims and 13 structures respectively. Meanwhile, NADMO officials are conducting an inventory of a new disaster in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem area.
The Cape Coast Metropolis experienced the highest number of victims, with 656 people affected and 66 houses, including one school, damaged. The worst-hit communities in Cape Coast include Ekon Junction, Academy, Ayensu, Abura, PPAG, Mempeasem, WAEC, Cape Tech, Sewin-Bonkus, Adisadel, Anglican, and Kwaprow.
In the Assin North District, a windstorm affected 172 people and damaged 30 houses, including a school. The victims included 37 adult males, 27 adult females, 55 male children, and 53 female children.
In the Gomoa West District, rainstorms led to the collapse of 15 houses, affecting 166 people in Ankamu, Apam, and Mprumaim. The victims comprised 55 adult males, 58 adult females, 25 male children, and 28 female children.
Parts of the Effutu Municipality, particularly Winneba-Ateiku, were flooded, resulting in damage to two houses and affecting 18 people, including five adult males, five adult females, three male children, and five female children.
Similarly, floods in the Ekumfi District displaced 26 people in Twa, including two adult males, three adult females, 11 male children, and 10 female children. Rainstorms in Breman-Essiam in Gomoa East unsettled 29 people and damaged five houses, while floods in Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam destroyed 15 houses, displacing 85 people.
Mr. Dawood cited blocked drains, improper waste disposal, and buildings constructed on waterways as causes for the disasters. He also pointed out human activities, poor drainage systems, and climate change effects as factors increasing the region's vulnerability to such disasters.
He advised communities to clear drainage channels, secure loose roofing sheets, and store emergency supplies like water, medicines, and torchlight in accessible places to mitigate the impact of increasing disasters. Mr. Dawood also urged community leaders to collaborate with NADMO volunteers to establish temporary shelters and coordinate volunteer response teams for rapid assistance and safer evacuations.
He reaffirmed NADMO's commitment to ongoing public education on disaster preparedness and urged all victims to contact his offices immediately during emergencies for prompt support.