Heavy rainfall in Hohoe Zongo, Ghana, has caused significant flooding, damaging over 150 homes and displacing numerous residents. The downpours, which began on Sunday and continued into Monday, caused River Dayi to burst its banks, resulting in widespread flooding. Residents reported being caught off guard, with little to no warning before the floodwaters arrived. The Ghana News Agency (GNA) reported that a landlady, Sadia Seidu, and her tenants were forced to flee their compound before it was submerged.
The flooding in Hohoe Zongo has had a devastating impact on residents, with many losing their homes and livelihoods. According to Abdul Wahab Mohammed Seeriboi, the Assembly member for the Tsevi/Adabrakra Electoral Area, over 150 houses in his area alone have been affected. Fortunately, no lives have been lost, but the floods have left many residents without homes or possessions. Resident Yussif Ali reported waking up in the night to find water advancing toward his home, with no time to react before the flood covered the entire vicinity.
The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has responded to the disaster, dispatching a team to assess the situation alongside personnel from the Ghana Ambulance Service and Ghana National Fire Service. NADMO's Hohoe Municipal Director, Raphael Kumagah, stated that the organisation is compiling records of victims and has advised displaced residents to relocate and stay away from the area until officials give the go-ahead to return. As of the latest reports, floodwaters have begun receding, with residents returning to salvage whatever property they can.
The flooding in Hohoe Zongo is part of a wider pattern of similar incidents recorded across Ghana during the rainy season. Other areas, including Tongu and Accra, have also experienced flooding, highlighting the vulnerability of communities near rivers and low-lying areas during the peak wet months. The Ghana News Agency (GNA) reported that the Hohoe Zongo flooding adds to a string of incidents that have affected communities across the country.
NADMO's Hohoe office is continuing to register affected households, although no timeline has been given for when displaced residents will be cleared to return home or when compensation or relief support might be provided. Landlady Sadia Seidu has appealed to the government, benevolent individuals, and organisations to come to the aid of victims, noting that many, like her, had no warning to prepare for the disaster.
The flooding has had a significant impact on the daily lives of residents, with many forced to seek shelter elsewhere. The Ghana News Agency (GNA) reported that Seidu and her household were forced to seek refuge with her grandmother, while others have been displaced to unknown locations. The full extent of the damage and the number of people affected are still being assessed.
The government and disaster management agencies are working to respond to the disaster, with NADMO leading the relief efforts. Residents are calling for support and assistance to help them recover from the devastating effects of the flooding. The incident highlights the need for preparedness and mitigation measures to reduce the impact of flooding on vulnerable communities.
Key points
- Over 150 homes have been damaged in the flooding.
- No lives have been lost in the disaster.
- The flooding is part of a wider pattern of incidents recorded across Ghana during the rainy season.
