The District National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in the coastal district of Jomoro, Ghana’s Western Region, confirmed today that 1 person was killed in floods that struck in the area last week, Thursday 10 July 2014. Other local news reports claimed the death toll is around five.
Around 6,000 people across 11 communities – including Western Region’s capital, Half Assini – were affected by the flooding that came after torrential rain fell for several hours. The flooding damaged homes and farmland. Several schools have been closed. The victim was electrocuted after flood water had swept into his home.
Although this is Ghana’s rainy season, the District National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) said they were surprised by the intensity of the rainfall and severity of the flooding.
Ghana’s capital, Accra, has seen several incidents of flooding since the first week of June 2014 that highlight the problems of poor or blocked draianage systems in the city.
Floods in neighbouring Ivory Coast during June and July this year also suggest a lack of preparedness worsens any flooding.
