Ghana – Floods Cause Devastation in Upper East Region

by in Africa, News

Days of heavy rain in north-eastern Ghana and bordering areas of Burkina Faso has caused devastating flooding in the Upper East Region of Ghana.

The affected districts include Bolgatanga, Kassena-Nankana Municipal (Navrongo),
Kassena Nankana West, Bawku Municipal, Builsa North, Builsa South, Binduri, Talensi, Garu-Tempane and Bongo.

Local media in Ghana reported that as many as 29 people may have have died in flood-related incidents. Media reports also suggested that between 1,000 and 4,000 buildings have been destroyed or severely damaged, including almost 2,000 in Kassena-Nankana Municipal, which includes the town of Navrongo and 830 in Bongo district.

Ghana News Agency reported that a spillage from the Tono Irrigation Dam has left 844 hectares of farmland under water in Kassena-Nankana Municipal.

The high death toll was disputed by Government Minister Salifu Saeed, who visited affected areas. He said 17 people were confirmed dead in the recent flooding in the region and “urged the public to disregard the early publication that said over 27 people had died.”

The National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) says it is sending relief items to support communities affected by floods in the Upper East Region.

Ghana saw a spate of floods from March to June this year, including in Accra and Ashanti and Western Regions.

Long-term heavy rainfall combined with water releases from the Bagre Dam in Burkina Faso, caused severe flooding in northern Ghana in September 2018, when over 30 people died and 100,000 were displaced in Upper West, Upper East and Northern Regions.

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