By Isaac Arkoh, GNA
Cape Coast, May 23, GNA – The Central Region has recorded 1,172 hydrometeorological disasters since Tuesday, affecting seven of the region’s 22 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.
The disasters, including floods, rainstorms and windstorms, damaged 138 houses, including two basic schools.
Of the affected victims, 292 are adult males, 295 adult females, 278 male children and 279 female children.
Mr Emmanuel Kwesi Dawood, the Regional Director, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that Assin South and Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese had earlier respectively recorded 55 victims, 20 structures and 80 victims ,13 structures.
Meanwhile, the NADMO officials were undertaking inventory of a new disaster in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem.
He said the Cape Coast Metropolis recorded the largest number of victims with 656 people affected and 66 houses damaged, including one school.
The worst-hit communities in Cape Coast are Ekon Junction, Academy, Ayensu, Abura, PPAG, Mempeasem, WAEC, Cape Tech, Sewin-Bonkus, Adisadel, Anglican and Kwaprow.
In Assin North District, he said a windstorm affected 172 people and damaged 30 houses, including a school.
Those affected included 37 adult males, 27 adult females, 55 male children and 53 female children.
He said in the Gomoa West District, rainstorms collapsed 15 houses and affected 166 people in Ankamu, Apam and Mprumaim.
The victims include 55 adult males, 58 adult females, 25 male children and 28 female children.
He said parts of Effutu Municipality, particularly Winneba-Ateiku were flooded with two houses damaged and 18 people including five adult males, five adult females, three male children and five female children affected.
Similarly, at Twa in the Ekumfi District, the floods displaced 26 people, including two adult males, three adult females, 11 male children and 10 female children.
He said the rainstorms unsettled 29 people and damaged five houses at Breman-Essiam in Gomoa East while floods in Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam destroyed 15 houses 85 people displaced
Mr Dawood mentioned the causes for the disasters to include blocked drains, improper waste disposal and buildings constructed on waterways.
He also highlighted human activities, poor drainage systems and the effects of climate change as key factors increasing the country’s vulnerability to floods and other hydro‑meteorological disasters.
Mr Dawood advised communities to clear drainage channels, secure loose roofing sheets and store emergency supplies (water, medicines, torchlight) in easily accessible places to reduce the impact of rising disasters.
He also urged community leaders to collaborate with the NADMO volunteers to set up temporary shelters and coordinate volunteer response teams to ensure rapid assistance and safer evacuations.
He reaffirmed the NADMO’s commitment to sustained public education on disaster preparedness and urged all victims to contact his offices immediately during any emergency for prompt support.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey/Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Isaac Arkoh
[email protected]