A severe downpour has caused widespread flooding in Kpandai, a town in Ghana's Northern Region, leaving residents to appeal for urgent assistance. The floodwaters have entered homes and businesses, destroying properties and goods worth thousands of Ghana cedis. Although no lives were lost, affected families are facing significant losses and struggling to cope with the situation.
One of the worst-affected businesses is a provision store owned by Paul, who reported that his store was completely inundated by the floodwaters. Several items, including bags of rice, drinks, cooking oil, and other provisions, were washed away or damaged. Paul and other affected traders are now counting their losses and calling for assistance to restore their businesses and livelihoods.
Several households were also affected, with floodwaters entering homes and submerging personal belongings. Some residents reported losing valuable items and household possessions to the floods, leaving them in urgent need of support. They are appealing for relief items and other assistance to help them recover, particularly those whose homes have become difficult or unsafe to occupy.
The District Chief Executive for Kpandai, Haruna Kalim, attributed part of the problem to the inadequate size of the bridge linking Kpandai to neighbouring communities. He stated that the bridge's size is insufficient to allow the smooth flow of water, contributing to the flooding. Kalim also expressed concern about the number of residents affected in the Kpandai township.
According to Haruna Kalim, providing accommodation for displaced residents could put additional pressure on the already overstretched resources of the Assembly. However, he assured the affected residents that the Assembly would work with the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to provide temporary shelter for those who have been displaced.
The DCE further attributed part of the problem to the improper disposal of rubbish into gutters by some residents, stating that the practice has choked the drainage system and diverted floodwaters into homes. He urged residents to take responsibility for proper waste disposal to mitigate the impact of future floods.
Affected residents are urging the authorities to take urgent measures to address the flooding, including improving the drainage system and addressing the bridge problem. The government, NADMO, and philanthropic organisations are being called upon to provide assistance to those affected by the floods. The situation remains challenging for the residents of Kpandai, who are in need of support to recover from the disaster.
Key points
- The floods in Kpandai have caused significant losses for residents, with many homes and businesses affected.
- The District Chief Executive for Kpandai, Haruna Kalim, has attributed the flooding to the inadequate size of the bridge and improper waste disposal.
- Residents are appealing for assistance from the government, NADMO, and philanthropic organisations to help them recover from the disaster.
