A three-year-old girl has met her untimely death after four days of continuous rainfall in the Western North Region.
The victim, Angelina Gemedi, was swept away by the rains in the Bibiani area of the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipal.
The rainfall led to significant repercussions, displacing a total of 3,962 residents in the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai and Aowin Municipalities within the Western North Region.
The prolonged rainfall also triggered widespread flooding across numerous communities in both Municipalities, impacting a total of 994 houses.
The Regional Director of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) in the Western North, Samuel Adu Agyei, revealed these details during an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA). He mentioned that communities like Asemkrom, Ngekain, Jema, Boinso, Omanpe, Aboi-Nsuoakyi, and Sewum in the Aowin Municipality were severely affected by the floods.
The towns of Bibiani and Bekwai in the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipality also experienced similar instances of flooding.
“Many buildings collapsed as a result of the heavy rains, personal belongings such as mattresses, beds, food items, television sets, fans, fridges among others were destroyed but there were no injuries or casualties,” he added.
He stated that the Aowin Municipal NADMO conducted a thorough situational assessment in the areas affected by the floods. This assessment revealed that a significant number of the damaged structures were constructed from bricks and mud.
Furthermore, the assessment highlighted that the victims were undergoing emotional distress, having lost their homes due to the flooding. Many had to find temporary accommodations with relatives, while others were provided shelter in churches and schools. Mr. Adu Agyei emphasized these findings.
He said “the assessment team discovered that the most pressing items needed for the victims were; about 500 packets of roofing sheets, 3,400 bags of cement, 2000 bags of rice, 300 boxes cooking oil,1,800 pieces of student mattress, four bales of second-hand clothing and 1,050 pieces of blankets.”
Mr. Agyei went on to mention that both the Aowin Municipality NADMO and the Regional office have taken immediate action by providing relief items to assist the affected victims. He also appealed to individuals, institutions, and philanthropists to offer financial assistance or donate materials to support these affected communities.
Additionally, Mr. Paul Andoh, the Municipal Chief Executive of Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai, in collaboration with the works department and NADMO officials in Bibiani, has undertaken the task of desilting drainage systems and streams at Bekwai, Asawinso “A,” and Bibiani. This effort is aimed at facilitating the unobstructed flow of water during rainy periods.
Mr. Agyei emphasized the importance of preventive measures, stating that although the local administration has implemented various initiatives to safeguard lives during the rainy season, individuals residing in flood-prone areas should consider relocating to prevent the recurrence of such disasters.