The recent release of a temporary bridge blockage by a contractor working on the Kasoa-Winneba Highway dualization has led to the flooding of over 100 acres of rice farms in Gomoa Okyereko, Gomoa East District.
Farmers in the area reported that the contractor, who had initially blocked River Ayensu for the construction of a modern bridge, failed to inform them before releasing the blockage.
As a result, the sudden influx of water submerged vast portions of their rice fields, damaging crops that had been cultivated through significant investment.
In a conversation with Adom News, several farmers expressed their distress, revealing that many had taken out loans to finance their farming activities.
They emphasized that the unexpected water release has left them with enormous losses and no time to prepare.
These farmers are now calling on the government for immediate intervention, requesting emergency support and compensation to help them recover from the calamity.
They warned that the damage not only jeopardizes their livelihoods but also threatens local food production and economic stability in the area.
Margaret Naana Ackon, the District Chief Executive for Gomoa East, acknowledged the scale of the damage and assured the farmers that the Assembly would offer assistance.
She committed to engaging with relevant stakeholders to provide relief and explore possible compensation avenues for the affected farmers.
Chairman of Parliament’s Works and Housing Committee, Vincent Oppong Asamoah, is urging the government to impose a nationwide prohibition on the use of plastics.
He citeD their detrimental impact on the environment and their significant role in worsening Accra’s flooding challenges.
He made this appeal during an inspection tour of the Odawna drainage infrastructure under the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project.
The initiative, supported by a $200 million World Bank grant since 2020, is designed to tackle frequent flooding, particularly within the Odaw River catchment area.
Vincent Oppong Asamoah highlighted how plastic waste continues to block key drainage systems, impeding the project’s progress. He stressed that completely banning plastics would significantly ease the burden.
A global survey by Ipsos lends weight to his call. The poll found that “85% of respondents support a global ban on single-use plastics,” with “87% in favour of reducing plastic production” and “90% backing a ban on dangerous chemicals found in plastics.” There was also strong public backing for encouraging alternatives that are recyclable or reusable.
Asamoah’s recommendation aligns with global appeals for legally enforceable action to address plastic waste—an issue that international bodies such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Plastic Free Foundation have also taken up.
In a related development, the Ranking Member of the Committee, Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah, called for tougher enforcement, saying people who dump garbage into drains must face legal consequences. He noted, “It’s a criminal offence and one of the leading causes of flooding in this country.”
Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has called on the government, urging ministers, Members of Parliament (MPs), District Chief Executives (DCEs), and other leaders to prioritize the rebuilding of Mepe and other communities impacted by recent floods.
He emphasized that challenges affecting even a single community in the Volta Region pose a threat to the safety and stability of the entire region.
This appeal was delivered on his behalf during the 68th Aƒenorto Festival, where the Speaker stressed the critical need for leadership to actively engage in recovery efforts.
According to Bagbin, the assistance required for these communities is not merely a luxury but a necessity in times of crisis.
On October 15, 2023, the operational capacity of the dam was exceeded on account of rising water levels, as a result of an increased rate of heavy rains this year.
It was necessary for the Volta River Authority (VRA) to release water from the Akosombo Dam to prevent the dam from overflowing which can lead to even more disastrous consequences.
However, this led to the high rising levels of the Volta River, and the water inflow flooded low-lying communities along the river. North and Central Tongu districts were the most hit in areas such as Mepe, Battor, Sogakope, Mafi, Adidome and Ada
Bagbin also called on the Volta River Authority (VRA) to implement safer technical measures during future spillage exercises, ensuring that such actions benefit the people of Mepe and surrounding areas rather than causing further hardship.
As the country approaches the 2024 elections, the Speaker urged all citizens to approach the period with a sense of peace and unity, underscoring the importance of national stability during this crucial time.
In a separate address, Humphrey A. Williams, Executive Chairman of Oswal Investments Group, highlighted the devastating impact of the floods on Mepe.
Mr Williams noted that while the disaster brought immense challenges, it also revealed the resilience of the community, which united in the spirit of Aƒenorto to rebuild and recover.
He reminded attendees that the journey to recovery is ongoing, with key projects such as the completion of the Mepe Health Centre, development of the Mepe Community Center, and the establishment of TVET institutions and an Astroturf still in progress. He called on the sons and daughters of Mepe to continue supporting these initiatives, which are vital to the community’s future.
“This festival is more than a celebration,” Williams remarked. “It symbolizes our resilience and a commitment to the future. Let us take pride in our progress and continue to work together to overcome the challenges ahead.”
The Aƒenorto Festival, celebrated annually, provides the people of Mepe an opportunity to reflect on their history, celebrate their culture, and plan for the future. This year’s event underscored the community’s determination to rebuild and secure a brighter future for generations to come.
The government of Ghana has launched the Built Environment National Conference on Housing and Hydrology (BENCHH) 2024 to tackle ongoing flooding and housing challenges.
Taking place over three days at the Labadi Beach Hotel, the event was inaugurated on July 2, 2024, by the Minister for Works and Housing, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah.
During the opening ceremony, Minister Oppong Nkrumah introduced the Ghana Hydrological Fund, aimed at mitigating flood risks and improving water management nationwide. The government has allocated GH¢1.5 million as initial funding for this initiative.
“The government, through the Ministry of Works and Housing, has prioritized an allocation of 1.5 million Ghana Cedis as seed money for the fund,” he stated.
Addressing a gathering of government officials, industry experts, and development partners, Minister Oppong Nkrumah stressed the importance of sustainable funding to effectively address Ghana’s flooding challenges.
He called on all stakeholders, including development partners, to contribute to the fund, highlighting its critical role in accelerating essential projects such as drainage construction and dredging.
Pointing to Ghana’s severe flooding issues, especially during the rainy season, Minister Oppong-Nkrumah cited inadequate drainage infrastructure and worsening impacts of climate change as exacerbating factors.
He noted that only 2% of the required concrete lining for drainage channels in the Greater Accra Region has been completed, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive action.
The Minister also addressed Ghana’s housing deficit, currently at 1.8 million units. He acknowledged the obstacles faced by affordable housing programs, including funding constraints and project delays inherited from previous administrations.
To address this, he advocated for robust public-private partnerships and incentives to encourage large-scale affordable housing developments by private developers.
Throughout the BENCHH 2024 conference, participants will engage in discussions focused on regulatory reforms and the establishment of a Works Inspectorate Unit to ensure adherence to building and safety standards.
On this day, nine years ago, Ghana experienced one of the most harrowing disasters in its history. TheJune 3rd disaster, a catastrophic event that combined a raging fire with devastating floods, claimed the lives of over 150 people and left a scar on the nation’s collective memory.
The tragedy unfolded at a fuel station in Accra, where many had sought refuge from the relentless downpour that led to severe flooding.
In a cruel twist of fate, the station became the epicenter of an explosion and subsequent inferno that spread rapidly, consuming everything in its path.
The disaster not only took lives but also exposed the dire need for improved urban planning and infrastructure to prevent such calamities. It served as a wake-up call for the entire country, prompting calls for action to enhance safety regulations and enforce strict building codes.
As we mark the ninth anniversary of this dark day, it is a time for reflection, remembrance, and a renewed commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all Ghanaians.
The lessons learned from the June 3rd disaster continue to resonate, reminding us of the importance of preparedness and the value of human life.
Today, we honor the memory of those who perished, and extend our sympathies to the families still grieving. May the lessons of June 3rd guide us towards a safer and more secure future.
THE WORST DISASTER TO HAVE EVER HIT GHANA: Exactly nine years ago today, heavy rainfall and an explosion at a fuel station at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra led to a devastating fire and flood catastrophe.
Ghana’s ongoing rainy season has once again spotlighted the country’s infrastructure issues.
A viral video reportedly captured at Nsawam Government Hospital shows nurses urgently moving patients to avoid water pouring in through a severely leaking roof during a rainstorm.
The footage reveals the roof of the hospital ward unable to withstand the heavy rain, leading to water flooding the area. Nurses are seen pushing a bed with a patient to a safer location as water gushes in.
The exact timing of the video remains unclear, but the recent rains have brought multiple infrastructure problems to light. Flooding incidents across Ghana have caused deaths and significant property damage since the rainy season began.
Patients on sick beds had to be repositioned in one of the wards at the Nsawam government hospital after a huge leakage from the weak roof following today's heavy rainfall. pic.twitter.com/R66ZBsdKQd
Today, in Alajo-Accra, residents united to save a young man from drowning in a substantial drain following heavy rainfall that led to severe flooding in the area.
The swift response and collaborative effort of community members secured the man’s safety amidst the adverse conditions.
According to gathered reports, the man fell into the fast-flowing floodwaters while attempting to cross the drainage system.
Because of the strong current, he found it difficult to keep himself above water.
Witnessing the alarming situation, certain residents promptly requested assistance.
Approximately three individuals bravely entered the water in an effort to rescue the struggling man.
While the endeavor seemed hopeless at first, the combined efforts of additional bystanders ultimately led to the successful retrieval of the man and the three rescuers.
A 12-year-old boy tragically lost his life after being swept away by a flash flood in Tanoso, located in the Kwadaso Municipality of the Ashanti Region.
According to witnesses, the victim, Emmanuel Opoku, was playing with friends in the rain on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, when he was carried away by fast-flowing water.
Aaron Nandie, the Assembly member for the Tanoso Electoral Area, disclosed that the boy fell into a gutter while playing near the river. Despite his brother’s attempt to rescue him, he was unable to prevent the tragedy.
Fortunately, the brother survived but sustained severe injuries and was treated at a hospital before being discharged. Meanwhile, the police have deposited the deceased’s body at a morgue.
The rainstorm observed over southern Togo that drifted westward and affected areas in southern Ghana on Wednesday left several locations flooded.
The affected areas include Aflao, Keta, Anloga, Ho, Akatsi, Somanya, Tema, Accra, Koforidua, and Begoro.
In several videos shared on X, citizens documented the harrowing experiences they encounter whenever there is a relatively heavy rainstorm.
As a result, individuals were left stranded as portions of the roads were submerged by water, and vehicles were broken down in the middle of the street.
A recent video shows that animals were not spared from the downpour. A helpless cow was carried by flood waters at Achimota. It is unknown if the livestock managed to survive or not as well as its current location.
Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet)has announced its intention to launch a new application software designed to provide weather forecast information to the public.
Frustration often arises among Ghanaians when heavy rains lead to frequent flooding in various parts of the country.
According to the Head of Central Analysis and Forecast at GMet,Felicity Ahafianyo the upcoming app will offer Ghanaians the convenience of accessing weather updates regardless of their location.
This initiative aims to assist individuals in planning their daily activities effectively, taking into account prevailing weather conditions.
“Currently we are trying to come up with an app where every Ghanaian irrespective of where you find yourself you will be able to have access to information” she said during an interview with the media on May 23, 2024 amid the recent floods particularly in Accra and other regions.
She noted that the first app which was introduced was mainly to assist residents in the capital, Accra but the one which is yet to be launched will be for all irrespective of one’s region or location.
“The first pilot we did was my Accra Flooding App which is basically for Accra.
We are going to expand it to cover the entire country and then any other forecast will also be attached.
So that wherever you find yourself just like Google people are doing, we will also be doing similar things but with a higher accuracy rate” she added.
Earlier, on May 6, 2024, a storm wreaked havoc in parts of Accra, causing flooding and trees to collapse onto vehicles around the Airport Residential area.
On May 13, 2024, Kasoa and its surrounding areas were thrown into chaos as heavy rainfall led to severe traffic congestion and flooding.
The West Hills Mall Car Park near Weija along the Accra–Cape Coast Highway was submerged under floodwaters, while the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) office in Bortianor faced a similar fate.
In response to these challenges, the Ghana Hydrological Authority has unveiled plans to tackle the persistent flooding on the Mallam-Kasoa Highway.
The authority aims to construct storm drains along the road, with the project expected to be completed within 17 months.
The rainstorm observed over southern Togo that drifted westward and affected areas in southern Ghana has left several locations flooded.
The affected areas include Aflao, Keta, Anloga, Ho, Akatsi, Somanya, Tema, Accra, Koforidua, and Begoro.
In several videos shared on X, citizens have documented the harrowing experiences they encounter whenever there is a relatively heavy rainstorm.
As a result, individuals have been left stranded as portions of the roads have been submerged by water, and vehicles have broken down in the middle of the street.
It is anticipated that as night draws near, traffic congestion will build up as many people leave their workplaces, and schools for home.
Motorists and pedestrians are urged to be cautious and extra vigilant as they commute to their respective destinations.
Meanwhile, another rainstorm over Burkina Faso is expected to bring cloudiness over parts of the upper west region of Ghana, with varying intensities of rain.
The Ga South Municipal Roads Engineer, Dr. Daniel Sowah, has revealed that a contractor is presently engaged in maintenance activities on the Old Winneba Road.
This effort serves as an alternative route to the flood-prone SCC–Weija–Old Barrier sandy silt route, with the goal of alleviating flooding along the Mallam-Kasoa Highway.
The maintenance works are intended to redirect traffic to the Old Winneba road during periods of flooding along the SCC–Weija–Old barrier section of the national highway in Accra.
The N1 highway corridor, which links Greater Accra to Kasoa in the Central Region, is regularly plagued by traffic congestion during rainy seasons.
The municipal roads engineer attributed the persistent floods on the highway to the loss of vegetation, largely due to extensive concrete building constructions in the area, particularly on the surrounding hills.
In an interview on the Citi Breakfast Show, on Tuesday, Dr Sowah said, “It is a result of erosion, anytime it rains, it washes the surface of the soil. Remember, everybody is building in Accra. Hitherto, all those areas were covered with vegetation but now there is construction going on all over. You cut the surface of the soil and you lose the texture…, anytime it rains, it [soil] is just at the mercy of the water and it comes down.”
Dr. Sowah further stated that the immediate engineering solution to the problem is the construction of a storm drain in the area, a project that has already commenced.
“There are gutters but not enough and we are now constructing a storm drain at Baba Dogo to contain the water, and it will lead the water to the Sunda Factory area and around the Old Melcom, we are also working on another drain to help with the situation,” the municipal engineer added.
Following a downpour around 4 pm on Monday, May 13, commuters were left stranded as vehicular traffic persisted into Tuesday morning.
Residents had to wade through the floodwaters to reach their homes. The traffic congestion was caused by silt washed onto the road by the rain, obstructing both sides of the road.
Additionally, several vehicles had broken down along the stretch, further exacerbating the situation.
Flash flooding in northern Afghanistan has claimed hundreds of lives, with concerns that the death toll may escalate due to further storms in the region.
Taliban officials report at least 150 fatalities, while the World Food Programme indicates that the toll exceeds 300 following heavy rainfall in five districts of Baghlan province on Friday night.
Social media images depict torrents of water engulfing houses in numerous villages, leaving widespread devastation.
The country has experienced unusually intense rainfall in recent weeks, resulting in numerous flood-related fatalities since mid-April.
Abdul Mateen Qani, a spokesperson for Afghanistan’s interior ministry, informed the BBC of at least 131 deaths in Baghlan province and 20 in Takhar.
Rana Deraz, a communications officer for the UN’s World Food Programme, informed the AFP news agency of 311 fatalities in Baghlan, along with the destruction of 2,011 houses and damage to 2,800 more. Additionally, three mosques and four schools were impacted.
Many casualties occurred in the Borka district of Baghlan province, where over 200 individuals were trapped in their homes.
Severe damage is also reported in the provinces of Badakhshan, Ghor, and western Herat.
Local official Hedayatullah Hamdard told AFP news agency emergency personnel including the army were “searching for any possible victims under the mud and rubble”.
Some families who lost their homes received tents, blankets, and food, according to the official.
The primary road linking Kabul to northern Afghanistan has been shut down.
Last month’s flooding in the west resulted in numerous deaths and left thousands in need of humanitarian assistance.
Flash flooding occurs when rainfall exceeds the capacity of drainage systems.
Experts note that a relatively dry winter has hampered the soil’s ability to absorb rainwater, leading to extensive flooding of farmland.
Torrential rain and flooding claim lives annually in Afghanistan, particularly affecting poorly constructed homes in remote rural areas.
Afghanistan ranks among the world’s most vulnerable nations to climate change impacts.
Decades of warfare, culminating in the 2021 Taliban resurgence following the withdrawal of a US-led coalition, have left Afghanistan one of the world’s poorest countries.
Various factors contribute to flooding, but climate change-induced warming increases the likelihood of extreme rainfall.
Global temperatures have already risen by approximately 1.1°C since the onset of the industrial era, with further increases projected unless governments worldwide enact significant emissions reductions.
Kenya’s President William Ruto has proclaimed Friday as a public holiday to mourn the loss of 238 lives due to persistent flooding.
In an announcement made on Wednesday, the president specified that the day will be dedicated to national tree planting initiatives aimed at addressing climate change impacts.
Floods have inundated Kenya, along with other regions in East Africa, resulting in over 235,000 individuals being displaced and seeking refuge in numerous camps.
President Ruto has also declared the nationwide reopening of schools, following a two-week delay caused by intense rains that inflicted substantial damage to hundreds of educational institutions.
The government has earmarked funds for repairing over 1,000 schools affected by the torrential rains and subsequent flooding.
According to the meteorological department’s daily weather forecasts, moderate to heavy rainfall is anticipated across most parts of the country.
The government is currently undertaking compulsory evacuations of residents residing in flood-prone zones and areas adjacent to rivers and dams, as water levels in the country’s primary hydroelectric reservoirs surge to unprecedented heights.
This week, authorities used bulldozers to demolish residences in informal settlements such as Mathare and Mukuru in the capital city of Nairobi. In response to the missed deadline for evacuation amidst hazardous rainfall, the president assured displaced families a relocation assistance package equivalent to $75.
Kenya has declared this Friday a national holiday to commemorate those who lost their lives in the ongoing floods and to encourage tree planting.
The severe flooding has claimed over 200 lives nationwide, affecting more than 250 million people.
President William Ruto announced on Wednesday that this day will be dedicated to tree planting to counter the impacts of climate change, which has exacerbated the flooding.
Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura stated that a special notice would designate Friday as National Tree Growing Day, with further directives from the environment minister.
Last year, Kenya initiated a special holiday to plant 100 million trees, marking the beginning of an ambitious plan to plant 15 billion trees over a decade.
Ongoing air and aquatic operations are underway to rescue numerous families stranded in their homes in Kenya’s western Nyando region amid incessant floods engulfing the country.
The River Nyando overflowed its banks on Saturday, inundating numerous villages and halting traffic on the bustling Kisumu-Nairobi highway.
Local media reported that over 1,000 households were compelled to evacuate their residences.
While no immediate casualties were reported, local authorities noted that water levels continued to rise.
A collaborative effort involving the Kenya Red Cross, Kenya Coast Guard Services, and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is utilizing boats and helicopters to access submerged villages.
A KWS helicopter is airlifting rescued individuals, with concerns mounting that many families endured a cold night in the affected villages.
Meanwhile, the government is evacuating additional individuals from flood-prone regions.
President William Ruto announced on Monday that each affected family would receive $70 (£60) from the government to assist them in securing alternative accommodations for three months.
Nationwide, floods have resulted in the deaths of 228 individuals since March, with 72 individuals still unaccounted for, according to government data.
Kenya and neighboring Tanzania were spared significant damage from Cyclone Hidaya, which weakened after reaching land on Saturday.
Heavy rainfall in Kenya, including the capital Nairobi, has led to widespread flooding. The deluge has claimed the lives of at least 11 individuals and displaced over 17,000 others.
Since the onset of the rainy season in mid-March, homes and agricultural lands have suffered extensive damage.
The affected populace is urgently requesting government aid, as they face the looming threats of hunger and disease.
The Kenya Red Cross is actively assisting displaced individuals and advising residents in low-lying areas to seek refuge. The rainfall is expected to persist until early next week.
The government, through the Ministry of Housing, has initiated a resettlement program for communities affected by floods caused by the spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong dams along the upper Volta in 2023.
The program aims to provide suitable housing units for people whose homes were destroyed by the floods, rendering them uninhabitable.
Preliminary data indicates that approximately 5,200 households were affected by the floods in 19 districts along the Volta River in the Volta, Eastern, Greater Accra, and Oti Regions. In the Volta Region, communities in the North, Central, and South Tongu, Anloga, Keta, North and South Dayi Districts, as well as Kpando and Ketu South Municipalities, were impacted.
During a stakeholder engagement, the Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, revealed that nine sites have been identified in the affected areas and cleared for the construction of housing units.
“We have started the process for resettlement, the sites have been cleared, contractors have come. The [Housing] Minister is here for us to validate the assessment that we have done”, he said.
The Minister-designate for Works and Housing, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, headed a delegation to engage stakeholders and inspect construction sites in the Central and North Tong.
He conducted a ceremonial sod-cutting at New Bakpa and Mepe sites, two of the nine earmarked for the housing project in the region. He assured that the units would be ready in six months.
Oppong-Nkrumah clarified that due to government policy decisions guiding the project’s implementation, the housing units would not be identical to what the victims had before the disaster.
“We must also understand that there would be a policy decision around the resettlement because not everybody will get exactly what they had before the disaster, but we have to be able to bring some.
“May I say, uniformity and basic to the intervention that government has provided. That is why we also need the cooperation and collaboration of the potential beneficiaries”, he said.
“We also want to ask the potential beneficiaries that all the data that we need for this exercise must have integrity. Now is not the time for people to play friendly games in an attempt to get more than what ought to be made available to them.
He also mentioned that the National Intelligence Bureau has deployed officers in various districts to work with them to ensure the integrity of the data collected for the resettlement project is maintained.
Mr. Oppong-Nkrumah appealed to traditional authorities to provide land for the construction of housing units to facilitate the successful implementation of the resettlement program.
In a related development, the Manklalo of the Mepe Traditional Area, Torgbe Korsi Nego VI, called for the judicious use of the lands allocated for the housing projects. He also appealed for the reconstruction of roads affected by the floods.
He further urged the government to carry out extensive preventative measures, such as constructing and dredging drains and building defense walls, in the affected areas.
The Ministry of Finance, on behalf of the government, has disbursed GH¢80 million to aid the victims of the Akosombo Dam spillage.
This was made known by President Akufo-Addo during the 67th Independence Day parade in the Eastern region on Wednesday March 6, 2024.
The released funds constitute part of the GH¢220 million earmarked to support the ongoing rehabilitation efforts in the affected communities.
President Akufo-Addo assured that the government is fully committed to restoring normalcy to the lives and livelihoods of all affected individuals.
“Government will stop at nothing to restore normalcy to the lives and livelihoods of all affected persons,” he assured.
This announcement follows criticism from North Tongu Member of Parliament (MP) Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who expressed disappointment in the President for not addressing the victims in his State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Mr Ablakwa, representing a constituency severely impacted by the spillage in October 2023, condemned the President’s perceived neglect as un-Ghanaian.
President Akufo-Addo, in his Independence Day address, covered various achievements of his administration, including the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, the Bawku conflict, constitution amendment, Ghana’s IMF deal, health, and the upcoming 2024 elections.
However, he did not address the plight of the victims who have suffered losses in livelihoods and properties due to the spillage caused by the Volta River Authority (VRA).
In response to the omission, Ablakwa highlighted the unfortunate situation for Ghana, particularly for the 40,000 victims, some of whom have been living in tents for the past five months.
There will be a lot of rain around Los Angeles, up to 1 inch (2. 54cm) an hour, for at least 24 hours starting on Monday.
The big storms are bringing a lot of rain, wind, and snow to parts of the state.
A serious situation has been announced in 10 counties of the state.
Experts say there will be heavy rain in California on Monday.
The Weather Prediction Service gave a high-level warning for heavy rain in southern California on Sunday.
The WPC warned that very dangerous flash floods could happen in Los Angeles and the surrounding area. The report said that there could be mudslides and debris flows.
The center said that there will be a lot of snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains, and it will be very hard to travel there.
The NWS warned that very strong winds could cause more power cuts and trees to fall, but the winds will calm down by Monday night.
Big, steep waves could make the areas near the coast very unsafe, it said.
On Sunday, planes couldn’t fly from Santa Barbara Airport and people stuck in their cars because of flooding in Los Angeles had to be saved by rescuers.
Many people lost electricity because the storm damaged power lines.
Officials in Orange County said that some areas may need to evacuate soon, and the order could happen very quickly.
The storm is happening because of lots of wet air moving through the sky.
Atmospheric rivers are like long streams of water in the sky that are carried by the wind.
Last week, a big storm hit California. The new round of bad weather is happening because of another storm.
Governor Gavin Newsom announced a state of emergency in eight counties, including Los Angeles and Orange. He said that the storm is very serious and could be dangerous and life-threatening.
Two persons are in the grips of the police for duping donors of the VRA-induced flood victims.
Their arrest, according to the North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, was facilitated by the Ministry of National Security and the National Signals Bureau.
In a tweet announcing their arrest, the MP said he received several complaints about the operations of the two suspects, Promise Ahorgah and Mawuli Kwaotse.
“A good number of Ghanaians both home and abroad have reported to me about how these two deceived them through elaborate impersonation methods and collected hundreds of thousands of Ghana Cedis which were not handed over to flood victims as the donors intended,” he said.
He, thus, commended the agencies that made the arrest possible for the prompt response to his complaint.
“I wish to commend the Ministry of National Security and the National Signals Bureau for their prompt response to my complaint by tracking and apprehending two unscrupulous individuals who corrupted my disaster fundraising flyers and duped many unsuspecting Ghanaians,” he added.
Further, he revealed that an Accra High Court presided by Her Ladyship Lydia Osei-Marfo on Friday, December 15, 2023, ordered their continuous detention.
“The duo are to reappear in court on the 9th of January, 2024,” he added.
The MP who unequivocally condemned the move by the two suspects said: “It is sheer evil for heartless characters to take advantage of the trauma and devastation of fellow Ghanaians to defraud and exploit compassionate citizens who seek to offer empathetic assistance to their compatriots in distress.”
“May I add that all those criminals out there scamming Ghanaians in my name through fake social media accounts and those promising protocol recruitments and other dubious opportunities at outrageous amounts should know that their days are numbered. We shall get them!” he said.
The MP ended with a note of caution to the general public to be extra vigilant.
Assemblyman for Ketu South Constituency, Mawufemor Kofi Folivi, has accused the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) officer in the constituency, Paul Alosode, of withholding relief items meant for flood victims in the area.
Allegedly, this decision was prompted by the fact that other organizations had directly donated items to community leaders without involving the NADMO office.
In a phone interview with GhanaWeb, the Assemblyman claimed that Paul Alosode, the NADMO officer, withheld the aid as a form of punishment.
According to Kofi Folivi, when the flooding crisis began, some relief items were brought to the NADMO office, but not all affected individuals received assistance.
Upon addressing this issue with the NADMO officer, Alosode explained that the initial items were insufficient and that he intended to distribute more once additional relief supplies arrived.
However, Ghana Gas Company Limited and the Member of Parliament for the area delivered additional aid. The Assemblyman suggested combining these new items with the existing ones at the NADMO office to provide relief to everyone in the affected communities.
Nevertheless, NADMO officer Alosode refused, stating that since the donations from Ghana Gas and the Member of Parliament had not passed through his office, he could not allocate them.
“His claim is that they were supposed to pass the items through his office and once they didn’t do that, those of us who received the times, he said he is punishing us. He read to me the things he wanted to give me at the time he called me. Those were 10 plastic bowls, 10 pieces of rubber cups for two communities. Also , there are some wellenting boots for the Sukoladzi community and some for the Zongo community as well. Those were the same items I went back to him to ask for, I didn’t request any other things from him,” the assemblyman stated.
The assemblyman representing Ketu South Constituency also voiced his dissatisfaction with this decision, pointing out that the relief goods were supposed to come from the NADMO office and that their distribution of the goods under their control would have supplemented the assistance from other organizations.
He clarified that he attempted to bring the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) into the situation, but the MCE said he was not sure how to handle it.
“This is something that was supposed to come from your office, and is it my fault the MP and Ghana Gas came to donate the affected people. Even though what they brought were not enough, if you added the ones that the NADMO office was supposed to give us, it would have complimented whatever we are doing and people would have felt a bit relieved. He said no, I can’t decide for him what he should do.
“I called the MCE [Maxwell Kopelugudor] and told him that this is what the NADMO officer is doing, he also told me he doesn’t know how to deal with the issue now but he will give him a call and get back to me. I tried reaching out to the MCE for an update on the issue but he didn’t pick my calls,” he added.
He continued “If your office is supposed to help and you are refusing to do that and other people are helping, it is necessary that they pass it through you, is it for you to keep them?” he asked.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC), in opposition, has announced its intention to inquire about the government and the Volta River Authority’s (VRA) handling of what they describe as the inadequate management of the Akosombo Dam overflow and the subsequent flooding in areas within the Volta region and its neighboring regions.
Addressing flood victims after distributing relief supplies on behalf of John Mahama, the NDC’s National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, asserted that once the floodwaters subside and the affected individuals have received appropriate support, the party will initiate a series of actions to seek explanations.
“I am not a scientist, I am not an engineer but I have very serious questions to ask because the Dam was not constructed yesterday and flooding, when water is flowing into the Lake, even if it is from Burkina Faso, it doesn’t flow to Volta region within 24 hours and so if we are doing our work well as s scientists, we should know that when there is heavy rainfall and water is entering the rivers that feed that Dam, we should know that within some one month or two months the effect could be calculated and preventive action should be taken.
“This is not the first time the dam has been opened for water to spill. We must ask how come in all the previous years that we have had cause to spill water, the effects have not been this devastating? There are questions that we should ask. Let us chase away the cat at the appropriate time, we will have to tame the mouse. We will have to find answers to serious questions,” he said.
He underscored the significance of implementing swift actions to avert future incidents of this nature in the country. Additionally, he expressed bewilderment at the government’s failure to declare a state of emergency, despite numerous recommendations.
Nketiah suggested that if the government lacks the necessary resources to address the situation, it should “put aside its ego and reach out to the international community for urgent assistance.”
“We have as a nation, found reason to go and donate to other countries that have found themselves in crisis like this.”
Many houses have been flooded and money wasted as a result of the Volta River Authority’s (VRA) water leak from the Akosombo Dam.
The’scarcity’ of food that has ravaged North, South, and Central Tongu has left these displaced citizens homeless.
In an effort to lessen their hardship, the Tanker Owners Union has given these impacted residents of Aveyime, Adidome, and Mepe goods valued at GH¢500,000.
Ignatius Koku Doe, the executive secretary of the Tanker Owners Union, claims that the action was taken to uplift and encourage the group.
“Our hope is that we have been able to alleviate part of their suffering because in the midst of all these, there will be hunger. People don’t have access to food now…so we believe that this is a small token that the Tanker Owners Union, as well as, our drivers who are supportive of our job to present to our brothers and sisters, mothers, chiefs, elders and all of North Tongu, Central Tongu and South Tongu,” he said.
He added that, “We pray that this kind of disasters which we sometimes create on our own…at least, an amount of care should have be taken to avert some of this kind of thing. Especially when they have been informed ahead of it.”
Ignatius Koku Doe urged the government to make sure that organizations were alert to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
“We want to appeal to government so that they prevail upon all institutions to do their work…we can say that somebody somewhere have not done their part of the work,” he stated.
In the meantime, the villagers received relief supplies including 100 boxes of cooking oil, 600 bags of rice, 60 sardine boxes, and 3,000 packs of water.
The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMeT) has issued a warning indicating that additional rainfall is anticipated in the lower Volta Basin, the area which has been severely affected by the release of water from the Akosombo Dam.
Consequently, the agency has called on the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) and other relevant authorities to take immediate measures to relocate affected individuals to safer areas.
The Head of Central Analysis and Forecasting for GMeT, Felicity Ahafianyo, emphasized the importance of flood victims adhering to NADMO’s guidance and promptly relocating to reduce the risks associated with ongoing and anticipated rainfall in the region.
She explained that the weather forecast indicates the likelihood of rain in the North Tongu area and its surroundings until the 23rd of October.
“Rain is still in the forecast for North Tongu and its environs. Between now and the 23rd of October, rain is still in the forecast over the lower Volta basin area,” she said.
“I think from our point, we will also add our voice for our brothers and sisters to relocate, and listen to the authorities, NADMO, VRA, and all other authorities. They should relocate to a safer place,” she added.
Currently, residents in Mepe, located in the North Tongu district and various parts of the Volta region, are grappling with the repercussions of the recent spillage from the Akosombo Dam, leading to the flooding of their homes and resulting in significant losses.
The decision by the Volta River Authority (VRA) to release excess water from the Akosombo and Kpong hydroelectric dams, although necessary for dam integrity, has presented a range of challenges for the affected communities.
Homes, farms, and even cemeteries have been submerged in floodwaters, disrupting essential services, including water and electricity supply, and necessitating the relocation of residents to higher ground for safety.
The VRA has justified the controlled spillage due to the rapid filling of both dams to capacity, primarily from upstream rainfall.
Engineers at the VRA have underlined the critical significance of maintaining water levels within the dams to prevent potential dam failure, emphasizing the necessity of this controlled spillage to protect the structural integrity of the dams.
The North East Region of Ghana has experienced devastating flooding, leaving more than 1,000 houses submerged in water and over 6,000 people displaced following a 12-hour downpour that struck last Wednesday. The deluge also caused the collapse of a crucial bridge connecting the East Mamprusi Municipality and the West Mamprusi Municipality, stranding travelers at Tinguri-Gbane.
Mr. Alhassan John Kwaku, the North East Regional Director of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), revealed these distressing statistics during a recent tour of the affected area by Hajia Lariba Zuweira Abudu, the Member of Parliament for the Walewale Constituency and the Minister of Children, Gender, and Social Protection, along with officials from the Ghana Highway Authority.
As a result of this catastrophe, many affected residents have been forced to seek shelter with friends and family, while others have taken refuge in local school buildings and churches. Mr. Kwaku cautioned that these numbers are still being assessed and could be higher.
However, he assured that all affected victims would receive assistance, even as they work to contact individuals who may be overseas and impacted by the disaster.
Meanwhile, Mr. Eric Nana Agyeman-Prempeh, the Director General of NADMO, took proactive steps by presenting relief items to the North East Regional Minister, Mr. Yidana Zakaria, the Member of Parliament for the West Mamprusi Constituency, Hajia Zuweira Lariba Abudu, and the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the West Mamprusi Municipal Assembly, Mr. Aremeyaw Somo Lucky. These relief items included bags of rice, rubber buckets, plastic cups, plates, boxes of Maggi spices, boxes of salt, cooking oil, boxes of mackerel, and bales of used clothing.
Mr. Agyeman-Prempeh explained that this gesture was part of the efforts made by the Ghana Air Force to provide emergency aid to the flood victims, with more items slated for delivery through government and benevolent organizations. He emphasized the President’s immediate concern and his directive to mobilize aid for those affected by the disaster.
Although some natural disasters are unavoidable, Mr. Agyeman-Prempeh pointed out that certain preventative measures could be taken. The North East Region is known for its vulnerability to floods, often due to the construction of buildings in waterways and wetland areas. He urged residents to refrain from building in these areas to avert future disasters.
Mr. Agyeman-Prempeh further called for cooperation between the North East Regional Coordinating Council and NADMO officials to ensure the smooth distribution of relief items to the victims.
In conclusion, he commended Hajia Lariba Zuweira Abudu, the MP for Walewale Constituency, for promptly reporting the disaster to the President, which prompted his rapid intervention.
The North East Regional Minister, Mr. Yidana Zakaria, expressed gratitude for NADMO’s swift response and urged for continued support. He called on NGOs, philanthropists, civil service organizations, and both natives and indigenes of the region to come to the aid of the flood victims in this trying time.
The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMeT) has issued a warning to Accra residents, anticipating additional flooding incidents due to heavy rains.
This follows last Friday’s torrential downpour that flooded various areas of Accra.
Joseph Portuphy, Head of Forecasting at GMeT, explained that the recorded rainfall during the downpour reached a significant 78 millimeters, contributing to extensive flooding in the city.
Portuphy emphasized that Accra would experience severe flooding whenever rainfall exceeded 50 millimeters within a span of two to three hours.
“If we have rain above 50 millimetres within two to three hours, Accra will be flooded, and that was what happened,” he stated.
Portuphy also mentioned that, while the city is now in the minor rainy season, the rains are predicted to become more intense.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) has encouraged residents to be cautious in the face of impending heavy rains. NADMO’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), George Ayisi, emphasized the agency’s ongoing interaction with the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) for weather reports.
GMet has forecast further heavy rains in the following days, prompting Ayisi to urge caution, particularly for travelers and those living in flood-prone areas.
“We are in constant touch with GMeT, and they keep updating us every time. They say the rains are going to be severe, they are going to be heavy, so we should be careful,” Ayisi stated. He cautioned individuals to exercise care when travelling, particularly in areas with trees, and to be mindful of structures with subpar roofing.
Ayisi also recommended identifying safe areas within the city and relocating to them, particularly for those residing in flood-prone regions.
Areas impacted by the recent heavy rain included the Tema Motorway, Kwame Nkrumah Interchange, Kaneshie, North Kaneshie, Alajo, Adabraka, Accra Central, Tema, Tema station-Accra, Osu, among others.
Following nearly an hour of continuous rainfall, numerous homes and vehicles became submerged, while drainage systems overflowed, worsening the flooding. Additionally, the downpour enlarged and deepened potholes on roadways.
The intense weather that was experienced in South Africa on Saturday September 23, has brought a host of challenges to the Western Cape, including uprooted trees, flooding in both informal and formal settlements, road closures, and power outages.
In Cape Town, specific areas affected by flooding include Shuku-Shukma, Sir Lowry’s Pass Village, Rasta Camp, Riemvasmaak, 7de Laan Sandvlei Macassar, Old Faure Driftsands, Mfuleni, and Bellville South.
“Flooding of houses has been reported in several areas including Durbanville, Bo-Kaap, Schaapkraal, Bellville South, Belhar, Sandvlei Macassar, Strand, Gordon’s Bay and Knorhoek. Emergency services have assisted four people trapped in a house in Strand and evacuated them to Strand fire station.
“The roof was blown off a private property in the CBD, while a dwelling in Hout Bay was damaged due to wind,” said Charlotte Powell, spokesperson for Cape Town disaster risk management.
Assessments will persist to gauge the extent of damage.
Widespread flooding is reported in the city, with the N2 at Victoria Road in Strand experiencing severe disruption.
“Denehof and Sunset Boulevard in Gordon’s Bay is closed, as well as Sir Lowry’s Pass and Baden Powell Drive. Traffic services are in attendance.
“At Wemmershoek dam the sluice gate has been opened to mitigate downstream flooding. The Lourens and Eerste rivers have burst their banks.
“Reports have been received from Hout Bay Main Road, Macassar, Rondebosch East, Durbanville, Kuilsriver, Woodstock, Klipheuwel IFS and Malmesbury farms,” said Powell.
When conditions permit, Mitchells Plain’s experts will endeavor to restore electricity.
In the eastern Libyan city of Derna, hundreds of residents have taken to the streets in protest against local authorities, following devastating floods that claimed thousands of lives in the city.
The protesters directed their criticism towards Aguila Saleh, the leader of eastern Libya’s parliament, and local officials, holding them responsible for the floods, which have resulted in nearly 4,000 casualties according to revised UN estimates.
During the demonstration outside the city’s primary mosque on Monday, the protesters issued a joint statement, demanding swift investigations into the disaster and legal actions against the responsible leaders.
They also called for compensation, inquiries into the city’s financial situation, and the reconstruction of Derna.
It’s worth noting that eastern Libya operates under a parallel government distinct from the UN-recognized government in Libya’s capital, Tripoli.
Various experts and humanitarian organizations have suggested that the floods could have been prevented had local authorities evacuated residents or adequately communicated warnings about Storm Daniel.
Neglecting the city’s dams was also cited as a key factor in their rupture and the subsequent flooding.
The protesters escalated their discontent by setting fire to the residence of Derna’s mayor, Abdulmenam al-Ghaithi. As a response, Prime Minister Osama Hammad of eastern Libya suspended Mr. Ghaithi, along with other municipal officials from Derna.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and various aid agencies have issued a plea to Libyan authorities, urging them to cease the practice of burying flood victims in mass graves.
According to a UN report, over 1,000 individuals have already been interred in mass graves.
The joint statement stressed the importance of laying victims to rest in clearly marked and documented graves. It highlighted that hurried burials can result in prolonged emotional distress for bereaved family members.
The catastrophic flooding has resulted in the complete destruction of neighborhoods in Derna, with thousands losing their lives and many more still unaccounted for.
Rescue and relief teams are engaged in a challenging effort to aid survivors and locate casualties five days after a catastrophic flood struck eastern Libya.
This disaster unfolded when two dams gave way in the aftermath of Storm Daniel, resulting in the complete inundation of entire neighborhoods within the city of Derna.
The death toll figures vary, with estimates ranging from approximately 6,000 to 11,000 casualties. Furthermore, thousands of individuals remain unaccounted for, leading the city’s mayor to express concerns that the final toll could potentially reach as high as 20,000 victims.
Survivors recount harrowing stories, including entire families perishing together and dramatic escapes. Some witnessed people being swept away before their very eyes during the deluge.
The United Nations’ World Meteorological Organization points out that a significant portion of these tragic deaths could have been prevented had timely warnings been issued.
In the wake of this disaster, around 30,000 people have been left without shelter, according to the International Organization for Migration. The UN’s humanitarian agency has also sounded an alarm about the potential health risks stemming from contaminated water sources in the affected areas.
The Russian Emergencies Ministry's IL-76 has left to Libya with humanitarian aid for flood victims.
A heavy rainfall on Tuesday, 12 September 2023, has claimed the life of a five-year-old girl in Moshie Zongo, a community in the Kumasi Metropolis of the Ashanti Region.
The identity of the young girl remains unknown, but she was a student at Utopia International School situated in the Pankrano Estate.
Following the torrential rain, the lifeless body of the girl was discovered floating in a drain, still clad in her school uniform.
Mr. Emmanuel Nti Kyei, the local Assembly Member for the area, reported that residents and the police collaborated to recover the girl’s body from the floodwaters.
Upon being informed of the tragedy, the school authorities promptly notified the child’s parents and assisted in transporting her remains to a morgue.
The police have launched an investigation into the incident, seeking to unravel the circumstances that led to the young girl’s unfortunate demise as a result of the flooding.
Many people died in a very bad flood in Libya and their bodies were buried together in large graves.
Over 5,000 people have been reported dead in the tragedy that happened in Derna on Sunday. There are concerns that 10,000 people are missing and cannot be found.
The flood happened because of a strong storm that broke the dams close by. This let out a lot of water that destroyed at least a quarter of the city by the Mediterranean Sea.
The floods caused both buildings and the people who lived in them to be washed away.
On Monday, the director of a hospital in the city shared that they have counted 1,700 dead bodies at their hospital. Additionally, 500 more bodies have been buried in a different area of the city. Around 10,000 people are thought to be missing, and it is believed that many have been taken out to sea.
Mohammed Qamaty, a person who helps out for free in Derna, said people who save others were still looking for the people who got hurt or died.
He asked all the young people in Libya with a degree or medical experience to come and assist them.
‘We don’t have enough nurses, so we need assistance. ‘
Videos after the event show lots of water flowing through the tall buildings that are still standing and cars that have been turned over. Later, there are dead bodies on the side of the road covered with blankets, ready to be buried.
People who live there said that the only sign that something bad was happening was the loud noise that happened when the dams were breaking. There was no system in place to alert them about the danger or a plan to get them to safety.
According to reports, many bodies were placed on the floor in hospital hallways. People are still searching for their missing family members as more dead bodies were brought in. One person from Derna named Mustafa Salem said that he has already lost 30 members of his family.
Today, trucks with bulldozers and aid supplies were going to the city.
The flood caused a lot of damage, turning over and damaging cars and leaving the streets of Derna filled with rubble, mud, and debris.
Pictures taken from space of the city before and after the disaster reveal that a previously small river running through the middle of the city has become much wider. All the buildings that used to be next to the river are now gone.
There is a lot of damage in different parts of the city where flood waters came out, and buildings are missing.
The cities of Soussa, Al-Marj, and Misrata were also impacted by the storm on Sunday.
The rescue missions become difficult because Libya is divided politically. The officially recognized government called Government of National Unity (GNU) is located in Tripoli, which is in the western part of the country. Derna is located in the east, where there is a separate administration and Commander Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army has power and control.
On Tuesday, Libya’s Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, who leads the government in Tripoli, said that the floods were a huge and unusual disaster. The leader of Libya’s Presidential Council, Mohammed al-Menfi, is asking for all the people in the country to work together and be unified.
Derna is a town located around 250km to the east of Benghazi, alongside the coast. It is surrounded by the nearby hills of the fertile Jabal Akhdar region.
The city was once a place where fighters from the Islamic State group established themselves in Libya, following the downfall of Gaddafi.
The United Nations (U. N) The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said that teams were sent to help immediately. Qatar and Turkey governments have quickly sent help to Libya.
“We have received news from reliable sources that the number of people who are missing has reached 10,000,” explained Tamer Ramadan, who leads the IFRC team in Libya.
Heavy rain has caused flooding and landslides, ruining lots of houses and roads.
The area that suffered the most damage is the port of Derna. A lot of it is now underwater because two dams and four bridges broke.
Mr Ramadan said that a lot of people have died, and it’s possible that the number of deaths could be in the thousands.
The IFRC may ask for immediate money to help the people affected by floods in Libya.
About 2,000 people have lost their lives and many more are missing following Storm Daniel. The storm caused a large amount of rainfall in Libya‘s northeast, which led to the collapse of two dams. This caused water to flow into areas that were already flooded.
Othman Abduljalil, who is the health minister in Libya’s government supported by the parliament in the east, visited the city of Derna on Monday. He described some areas of Derna as a “ghost town. “
Abduljalil said that the situation in Derna was very bad. Dead bodies are still in many places.
“Some families are still trapped in their houses and there are people buried under destroyed buildings. I think some people may have been carried away by the sea, and tomorrow morning we will find many of them,” he said.
Around 6,000 people are currently unaccounted for in Derna, according to Abduljalil. However, this is just one area that has been impacted by flooding in multiple cities located near the Mediterranean Sea in the country’s northeast.
There are worries that giving help might be made difficult by political disagreements in the country. This country has had a long-lasting fight for control between two different governments – one in the east and the other in the west.
The heavy rain happened because of a strong low-pressure system. It caused a lot of flooding in Greece and then moved into the Mediterranean Sea. It turned into a tropical-like cyclone called a medicane. The weather system is like storms in the Atlantic or Pacific oceans.
According to a message on social media, on Monday, the Red Crescent Society of Libya said that over 300 people have died in Derna.
Ahmed Mismari, who speaks for the Libyan National Army in the eastern part of Libya, said that two dams broke due to flooding.
As a result, three bridges were broken. The water moved quickly and washed away whole neighborhoods, then left them in the ocean,” he said.
The leader of Libya’s Emergency and Ambulance authority, Osama Aly, told CNN that when the dam broke, all the water flowed towards a place close to Derna, which is a hilly region near the coast.
The strong muddy currents washed away houses in valleys and also carried vehicles and debris. The phone lines in the city are not working, which is making it harder to rescue people. Aly said that the workers cannot go into Derna because there is a lot of damage there.
Aly said that the people in charge didn’t expect the disaster to be so big.
Aly said that the weather conditions were not well looked into. They did not study the levels of seawater, amount of rainfall, or wind speeds. They also did not evacuate families who could be affected by the storm and living in valleys.
Libya was not ready for a big disaster like that. It has never seen such a disastrous event before. We acknowledge that there were mistakes, even though this is the first time we have experienced such a major disaster,” Aly said in an interview with Al Hurra channel.
Mismari, who speaks for the LNA, said that many cities have been affected by the floods. These include Al-Bayda, Al-Marj, Tobruk, Takenis, Al-Bayada, and Battah. The floods have also caused damage along the eastern coast all the way to Benghazi.
Libya is a country with six million people. It has been divided into groups that are fighting against each other since 2014, after a rebellion supported by NATO in 2011 to remove Moammar Gadhafi from power.
There is still a disagreement between rival governments in the city of Benghazi and the capital city Tripoli. Abdulhamid Dbeibeh leads the government of National Unity (GNU) that has the support of the United Nations. They are in charge in the capital city. On the other hand, Khalifa Haftar controls the eastern part of the country along with his Libyan National Army (LNA). They support the parliament led by Osama Hamad, which is based in the east.
Derna, a city that is about 300 kilometers (190 miles) away from Benghazi, is currently governed by Haftar and his administration in the eastern region.
According to a report from Libyan News Agency (LANA), Hamad referred to the situation as “terrible and never seen before. “
Videos posted on social media showed cars underwater, buildings that had fallen down, and a lot of water flowing through the streets.
The hospitals in the eastern city of Bayda were emptied because of heavy rain that caused flooding, as shown in videos posted on Facebook by the Medical Center of Bayda.
The United Nations in Libya is keeping a close eye on the emergency situation caused by bad weather in the eastern region of the country, according to a post by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya on X.
Many countries have sent their sympathies and help to Libya as rescue teams rush to find people alive under the collapsed buildings and wreckage.
On Tuesday, Turkey’s Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) reported that Turkish planes carrying aid for people in need have arrived in Libya.
The Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, announced that Turkey will be sending 168 teams to help find and rescue people in Benghazi. They will also be providing aid to help with the situation. The news was reported by the state-run news agency, Anadoulu Agency, on Tuesday.
The US Embassy in Libya said on a social media platform called Twitter that they were talking to the United Nations and Libya’s government to figure out how to quickly provide help where it is most needed.
The President of the United Arab Emirates, Zayed Al Nahyan, has ordered help and rescue teams to be sent to the affected area. He also expressed his sympathy to those affected by the tragedy, according to the state news agency.
Egypt’s President, Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, expressed his sympathy to Libya. El-Sisi said on social media that he hopes the injured people get better soon and wants the crisis in Libya to end quickly with everyone coming together in unity.
The weather system will slowly move to the east and head towards the northern part of Egypt. Rainfall in the next two days might be 50mm, which is a lot compared to the usual 10mm in September.
A senior official who recently visited the eastern port of Derna in Libya has reported a staggering death toll exceeding 1,000 from the floods in that city alone.
According to the minister representing the eastern-based government, the situation is dire, with bodies strewn throughout the area. Derna, a city with approximately 100,000 residents, has been inundated due to the collapse of two dams and four bridges.
These devastating floods, which have also caused widespread destruction in other coastal regions, are the aftermath of Storm Daniel, which struck the area on Sunday.
“The number of bodies recovered in Derna is more [than] 1,000,” Hichem Chkiouat, the aviation minister and part of the eastern government’s emergency response committee, told Reuters by phone.
He said the final death toll was expected to be much higher.
“I am not exaggerating when I say that 25% of the city has disappeared. Many, many buildings have collapsed.”
Hundreds feared dead, thousands missing after devastating floods hit Libya
The flooding has also impacted the eastern cities of Benghazi, Sousse, and Al-Marj. Earlier, Eastern Prime Minister Osama Hamad reported to a Libyan TV channel that an estimated 2,000 people had lost their lives, and thousands were still missing. He described the situation, stating that “Entire neighborhoods in Derna have disappeared, along with their residents, swept away by water.”
In addition to the eastern regions, the western city of Misrata has also been affected by the devastating floods.
Libya has been mired in political turmoil since the overthrow and killing of long-serving ruler Col Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. This has left the country effectively divided, with an interim government recognized internationally operating from the capital, Tripoli, and another government in the east.
According to Libyan journalist Abdulkader Assad, this political divide is hindering rescue efforts, as the various authorities struggle to respond effectively to a natural disaster.
Heavy rainfall in various parts of the North East Region, has claimed five lives as well as leaving several injuries.
The disaster unfolded with four individuals losing their lives in the floodwaters of the East Mamprusi and West Mamprusi municipalities.
Additionally, a person was tragically killed when a building collapsed in the Yunyoo/Nansuan District.
The victims’ bodies were discovered days after the torrential downpour wreaked havoc across the region, with drainage systems and ponds becoming their final resting places.
The North East Regional Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), John Kwaku Alhassan, confirmed these distressing events to the media.
He added that the deceased have been handed over to their grieving families for proper burial rites.
Alhassan’s team is actively assessing the extent of the devastation caused by the floods. The goal is to provide prompt emergency relief to the affected individuals.
Alhassan noted the grim reality that the flooding situation is worsening, causing extensive property damage throughout the region.
“The situation is not too good because some of the areas are being cut off, with other buildings collapsing,” he stated.
NADMO is also proactively engaged in raising awareness among residents living along the White Volta. Through community announcements in churches and markets, people are being urged to relocate to higher ground to preempt further catastrophes.
Background:
The aftermath of the downpour resulted in severe inundation of parts of the West Mamprusi and East Mamprusi municipalities.
Notably, Walewale, the capital of the West Mamprusi Municipality, became isolated from Nalerigu, the regional capital.
This isolation was caused by the destruction of a bridge and a dam at Tinguri due to the floods, rendering the primary road connecting the two towns impassable.
The repercussions of this disaster left residents of the affected areas without homes, while travelers between Walewale and Nalerigu were stranded due to the inaccessibility of the route. Countless individuals were displaced, and valuable assets including houses, farmlands, livestock, and property were swept away by the deluge.
Among the affected communities are Gaagbini, Tinguri, Mimima, Kuruguduri, Walewale, Nalerigu, Yunyoo, and Chereponi.
A building collapsed in the Nyonyo Nasuan District of the North-East Region, killing one person and injuring another.
The survivor is currently receiving medical care at the regional hospital in Bolgatanga.
According to Regional Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Alhassan John Kwaku flooding is getting worse and causing property damage.
Many homes in the area have been submerged by floodwaters.
However, because the flood is still causing more damage to other communities, residents have been given temporary housing.
“The situation is not too good because some of the areas are being cut off, with other buildings collapsing,” he said.
“Because of the nature of the rooms we have in this area, there was a situation where the building fell on somebody and he died, and there was another incident where he the person was injured,” he added.
He is therefore pleading with charitable organisations and individuals to provide aid for the impacted people.
According to Joy News’ Eliasu Tanko, the Regional Coordinating Council authorities are doing their best to reach out to residents in communities that have been cut off in order to offer them assistance.
The North-East Regional Minister, Yidana Zakaria, said his team would be visiting the areas that have been cut off to assess the extent of the flooding.
He said that their focus for Monday would be to reach accessible areas.
“Only four districts in the Nort-East region were initially affected. Now it appears that all of the districts in the North-East have been inundated, so if we mention figures now, we will be providing incorrect figures, but I believe we will be able to update our records by tomorrow [Tuesday].”
Large areas of East Asia have been inundated by storms that brought unusually heavy rain and fierce gusts so early in the north Pacific typhoon season, with China among the worst affected nations.
The quantity of rain that fell during the last week in Beijing alone surpassed a record that had stood for 140 years.
As Doksuri, a previous super typhoon, flooded China’s northeast, residents of Beijing and the nearby province of Hebei fled their houses on inflatable boats and trucks.
Authorities have evacuated millions of people, and at least 10 individuals have perished and 18 are still missing.
Image caption,People stand on a front loader after the rains and floods in Zhuozhou, Hebei province, ChinaImage caption,Mentougou District, Beijing, ChinaImage caption,An evacuation in Quanzhou, Fujian province, ChinaImage caption,Beijing, ChinaImage caption,A temporary shelter in Longquan Primary School of Mentougou district, Beijing, China.
The floods damaged roads and bridges, submerged cars and destroyed construction sites.
Doksuri slammed into China last weekend and drenched the north-east for most of the week. The region had barely recovered from typhoon Talim the week prior.
Then, there’s the threat of typhoon Khanun out at sea off China’s east coast, which threatens to intensify rains in areas hit by Doksuri.
Image caption,Fengtai District, west of Beijing, ChinaImage caption,Beijing, ChinaImage caption,Uncompleted residential buildings were swamped in Beihai, Guangxi, China
In areas where the floods have subsided, residents have started shovelling mud out of their homes. The following three photos were also taken in Beijing.
The waterlogged scenes also played out in the Philippines, where Khanun, Doksuri and Talim exacerbated seasonal monsoon rains.
While storm-weary Filipinos went about with as much of their daily routines as they could, the typhoons highlighted perennial problems of flooding in the capital, Manila, and its suburbs of Bulacan and Pampanga.
Image caption,Balagtas, Bulacan province, PhilippinesImage caption,Balagtas, Bulacan province, PhilippinesImage caption,Balagtas, Bulacan province, PhilippinesImage caption,A man collects washed up rubbish along the shore of Manila Bay, PhilippinesImage caption,Calumpit, Bulacan Province, Philippines
Slow-moving Khanun lashed Okinawa in the middle of the week and threatens to curve back to mainland Japan while intensifying rains in China.
It cut power to one-third of Okinawa in its wake and shut the airport for a day during peak tourism season.
Typhoon Khanun led to offices and schools being shut for a day in Taiwan.
Image caption,Naha, OkinawaImage caption,Most stores are closed in this residential area of Taipei, Taiwan
Meanwhile, India is in the middle of a heavy monsoon season that has waterlogged parts of the country.
In the first two weeks of July alone, floods and landslides there have killed almost 100 people in the north.
Image caption,Ajmer, IndiaImage caption,Kolkata, IndiaImage caption,Kolkata, India
Ho, the regional capital of Volta, was submerged in floods last Saturday, after a downpour that was the heaviest in three decades.
The rain, which lasted for six hours, measured 189.2 millimetres, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The second highest rainfall recorded in Ho during the period was 152.2 millimetres in 2006.
The floods affected several areas, including Ho-Bankoe, Ho-Donokodzi, Ho Barracks-New Town, Ho-Adzimakope, and Ho-Powerhouse. More than 1,000 people were displaced and many properties were damaged.
The EPA and the Ho District Meteorological Office attributed the floods to choked and narrow drains, as well as structures built on waterways.
The EPA Regional Director, Hope Smith Lomotey, warned that the people living in low-lying areas along water courses must relocate to higher grounds as soon as possible, as more rains were expected in the coming days.
He also urged the residents to respect the environment and dispose of their rubbish properly to avoid blocking the gutters.
He said the final destination of flowing water was the sea and once its course was blocked the result was often disastrous.
“We must all respect the environment to avoid a repetition of this kind of horror in future,” he said.
The Ho Central MP, Benjamin Kpodo, blamed the Ho Municipal Assembly for failing to enforce its environmental by-laws and building regulations.
He said the assembly was negligent in allowing people to build on waterways and not clearing the drains regularly.
He called on the assembly to take immediate action to prevent further floods in the area.
The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) is still assessing the damage caused by the floods and providing relief to the affected people.
Reports from local officials and state media suggests that , heavy rainfall in Chongqing and other parts of southwestern China has resulted in the deaths of fifteen people, with four individuals still missing.
China has been experiencing extreme weather conditions, including heavy rains and intense heatwaves, as global temperatures continue to rise.
The residents of Beijing and various other regions have been advised to stay indoors due to temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit).
The recent torrential rains in Chongqing represent one of the most severe natural disasters in China this year, claiming multiple lives.
“The heavy rains, mainly seen in the areas along the Yangtze River, have triggered floods and geological disasters, disrupting the lives of more than 130,000 people in 19 districts and counties,” state-run news agency Xinhua said.
Images from state broadcaster CCTV posted on social media on Tuesday showed torrents of muddy water in Chongqing’s heavily affected Wanzhou District overflowing embankments and pieces of debris being swept away.
And the Communist Party-backed People’s Daily posted photos of ongoing rescue efforts Wednesday, showing emergency responders helping residents evacuate flooded residential buildings.
On the outskirts of Chongqing, workers on Tuesday discovered that a closed-off railway bridge had collapsed after it was “damaged by the impact of mountain torrents”, CCTV said.
The government dispatched a working group to Chongqing early on Wednesday morning to oversee disaster relief efforts.
More is still to come, with officials warning that China is set to face “multiple natural disasters in July, including floods, severe convection weather, typhoons and high temperatures”.
In response, President Xi Jinping has ordered that “authorities at all levels must give top priority to ensuring people’s safety and property”, Xinhua said Wednesday.
China’s finance ministry has issued 320 million yuan ($44.2 million) in disaster relief to affected regions, which it said would be used by local governments to boost emergency search and rescue efforts.
– Widespread damage – In neighbouring Sichuan province, authorities said more than 460,000 had been affected by the heavy rain this month, Xinhua reported.
About 85,000 people have been evacuated from their homes as a result of the rain, officials said, with “flash floods in mountainous areas” and “possible mudslides in some parts” of China expected this week.
Scientists say that rising global temperatures — caused largely by burning fossil fuels — increase the likelihood of extreme weather events such as the flash floods and heatwaves experienced in many Asian countries in recent weeks.
China recorded an average of four days in which temperatures exceeded 35 degrees every month in the first half of this year, the highest since national records began in 1961, according to aNational Meteorological Center statement on Sunday.
In June, Beijing sweltered through a total of 14 days of temperatures exceeding 35 degrees, matching the record set in July 2000, according to the state-run Beijing Evening News.
Minister of Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakyehas stated that specific human activities are impeding the government’s efforts to achieve effective outcomes in flood prevention measures.
Despite allocating GH¢450 million for drain construction and desilting since 2018, the government claims that these activities have made it challenging to tackle the recurring issue of flooding.
The minister highlighted issues such as the obstruction oflagoons and wetlands for development purposes, construction on drainage channels that impede stormwater flow, dumping of waste in drains that reduce their capacity, and inadequate enforcement of planning and building laws by local authorities.
“It has become more evident that human activities are severely impeding the government’s efforts to tackle flooding. The observation includes blocking of lagoons and wetlands with construction materials for development purposes, building on drainage channels and blocking the free flow of stormwater, dumping of solid waste in drains thereby reducing their capacity to hold stormwater and the gap in the enforcement of planning and building laws by the various MMDAs,” Mr Asenso-Boakye bemoaned while providing a brief to Parliament on measures by the government to contain the situation.
The Minister further intimated that flooding in the capital is considered a national security issue and his Ministry is engaging with other relevant agencies to resolve the issue.
“Cabinet noted the need to consider flooding in Accra as a national security issue since effective law enforcement has a role to play in resolving the issue. Subsequently, the Cabinet constituted a committee to develop a comprehensive plan with appropriate measures to strengthen the enforcement of laws relating to lands and siting of buildings
“While the Committee does its work, my Ministry will continue its engagement with the National Security Ministry in seeking support for the Assemblies to enforce planning laws and building regulations.”
He also gave an update on the progress of projects aimed at mitigating the effects of flooding in Accra.
“Since 2018, the government has committed more than GH¢400 million to address flooding under a special progaramme. Under this programme, 384 desilting projects and 202 channel projects were initiated.
“Today, 370 desilting projects representing 96 percent have been completed and 84 drainage channel projects have been completed, with the remaining 118 at various stages of completion and the effects have been the mitigation of flood hazards in beneficiary communities.”
The death toll from floods in South Africa’s Kwazulu-Natal province has reached at least seven, and it is anticipated to increase further.
Several regions in the southeastern parts of the province are currently undergoing recovery efforts following severe rains and storms earlier this week.
The bodies of a woman in her 20s and a teenage girl were recently recovered from a canal in the city of Durban.
According to provincial authorities, at least 70 homes have been destroyed, leaving over 150 individuals without shelter.
Disaster management teams are continuing to assess the extent of the damage caused by the floods.
The heavy downpour on Friday night, June 23 has claimed the life of a National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) officer,Sulemana Ahmed at the Ashanti Region.
The victim was tragically swept away along with his motorbike in Duase, located in the Kumasi Metropolis, while he was on his way home from work.
After an extensive search, residents in the area discovered his body in a drain Saturday morning.
Sulemana Ahmed, in his 40s, not only served as an officer with NADMO but also held the position of former Organizer of the National Democratic Congress in the Old Tafo Constituency.
The unfortunate incident marks the fifth fatality caused by the relentless heavy rains this week.
Prince Osei, the Assembly Member for the Duase Electoral Area, informed Citi News that several residents spotted the body in the drain and promptly reported the incident to the police. With their assistance, the body was successfully recovered from the drain.
The police have taken custody of the deceased and transported the body to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
NADMO’s warning comes two days after four bodies were recovered from floodwaters in various towns in the Ashanti Region following Wednesday’s downpour.
The Ashanti Regional Director of NADMO, Frank Duodu, urged the public not to risk their lives during a downpour.
He admonished the public to take warnings from the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMA) seriously during the rainy season and act accordingly.
“Make sure that when the rains are coming, we follow the warnings of the Meteo Agency and if there is no need to go to places you know are flood-prone areas, don’t go.”
Mr. Duodu also advised the public to take shelter on higher ground whenever it is raining.
“You find high places to lodge when the rains are coming but if it turns out to be what we witnessed on Wednesday, not that the place got flooded, but you decide to go through the flood waters, then I will say there is more that we have to do.”
Four people drowned at Atafoa, Sepaase, and Tafo, all in the Ashanti Region, on Wednesday, June 21st night.
The brother of one of the victims in the Atafoa incident died when he dived into the river to find the deceased on Thursday, June 22nd.
Policy and Planning lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Stephen Takyi has warned that more floods will be recorded during this rainfall periods.
He also made a projection of more deaths to be recorded during the floods as a result of the failure of the authorities at various cities to develop urban strategic plans.
As a planning expert, Stephen Takyi noted that indiscriminate sales of land, especially the wet lands by land overseers have contributed to the floods the country is facing.
The lecturer was contributing to a panel discussing on Otec FM’s morning show ‘Nyansapo’, hosted by Captain Koda, on Thursday, June 22, 2023.
He was reacting to the deaths recorded in Kumasiand Accra during the torrential rain that hit the country on Wednesday, June 21, 2022.
“If you look at how Ghana development process has been planned, flooding during the raining season will account for more deaths, and this will bring residents uprising against the politicians,” he furiously said.
“Lands are sold indiscriminately by city authorities and chiefs without hesitation, wet lands are been sold, lands earmarked for social infrastructures are also sold, making it impossible for free flow of rain water during rainfalls,” he added.
To prevent floods and its related casualties, Stephen Takyi advised residents to resist any attempts by cities’ authorities and chiefs who may attempt to sell flood-prone and reserved areas to save their lives.
The public is being urged by the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) to exercise caution and refrain from traversing through floodwaters
NADMO’s warning comes two days after four bodies were recovered from floodwaters in various towns in the Ashanti Region following Wednesday’s downpour.
The Ashanti Regional Director of NADMO, Frank Duodu, urged the public not to risk their lives during a downpour.
He admonished the public to take warnings from the Ghana Meteorological Agency seriously during the rainy season and act accordingly.
“Make sure that when the rains are coming, we follow the warnings of the Meteo Agency and if there is no need to go to places you know are flood-prone areas, don’t go.”
Mr. Duodu also advised the public to take shelter on higher ground whenever it is raining.
“You find high places to lodge when the rains are coming but if it turns out to be what we witnessed on Wednesday, not that the place got flooded, but you decide to go through the flood waters, then I will say there is more that we have to do.”
Four people drowned at Atafoa, Sepaase, and Tafo, all in the Ashanti Region, on Wednesday, June 21st night.
The brother of one of the victims in the Atafoa incident died when he dived into the river to find the deceased on Thursday, June 22nd.
The Deputy Director of Forecasting at the Meteorological Department, Dr. Joseph Porturphy, has advised residents residing in flood-prone areas to relocate to btter places as therainy seasonhas commenced.
This, he says, is due to the fact that the rains are expected until the second week of July, since it is the rainy season.
“So we will plead again if it is a flood-prone area, then you just move out. If the rains subside then you come back,” he appealed.
This follows reports of flooding in some parts of Accra after Wednesday’s downpour.
One of the suburbs of Ngleshie Amanfro in the Ga South Municipality, Peace Town, has been completely cut off by the torrential rain.
Dr. Portuphy also advised against commuting to frequently flooded areas, adding that alternate routes must be taken.
Again, he advised drivers to be cautious on the road and to park their vehicles when in flooded areas until the water recedes.
— Flood Fighters Movement #stopthefloods (@floodfightersgh) June 21, 2023
Flooding also took over the Accra-Winneba Road forcing commuters to use one side of the double-lane road.
This is towards the West Hills mall on the Accra Winneba road. The other side heading to Accra is totally flooded so all commuters are using the side towards the mall. This is not new, it has been like this since🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️. #Floodspic.twitter.com/W0HaGGTKxI
Some 20 communities in theKetu South municipalityhave been flooded following the three weeks of persistent rains in the area.
The distressing condition has brought every economic activity in the area to standstill, holding the people hostage in their homes with no hope of relief in sight.
So far, five basic schools whose classrooms are filled with water have been close down until further notice.
No relief items
The Municipal Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation, Torgbi Alossodetold the media on Monday morning (June 12) that there were no immediate relief items for the flood victims.
“We are studying the situation and assessing the damage prior to providing relief items for the displaced people,” he added.
The worst affected areas are Agbawema, Ahiatakukope, Awakorme, Hastukope, and Akame.
Others are Lokove, Ahorfe, Dzisakope, and Yegbefume, near Agbozume; and some communities in Klikor.
MP’s tour
Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ketu South, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has called for the immediate closure of all schools in the municipality for the safety of the children.
“The roads leading to the schools which are not tarred are now covered with large volumes of water, and that is dangerous,” she explained.
The MP called on NADMO to live up to its responsibility and respond to the situation at hand promptly.
The Municipal Chief Executive, Maxwell Lugudor said the floods in the Agbozume and Klikor were caused by lagoons bursting their banks.
He said the assembly was set to dredge the lagoons as an immediate response to the problem.
In the long term, he said, the assembly would build mini dams in some of the border communities to serve as receptacles to the floods.
Kardashynka, Maryna and Valentyna’s southern Ukrainian hamlet, is a quiet area.
A charming group of cottages on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River, occupied by Russia.
Even with the liberation of Kherson city last November, the neighbours hadn’t been able to cross the river to go there because of bridges being destroyed.
In a chain of events few could predict, they finally made that journey this week, while being rescued from the recent catastrophic floods.
“A boat was passing, we started shouting and waving,” says Maryna.
Much of her surrounding area has been devoured by the Dnipro since the destruction of the Khakovka dam upstream.
Their homes sit close to this watery front line which separates Ukrainian-controlled and Russian-occupied territory.
“We’ve been waiting for help,” says Maryna. “Valentyna is 86, I’m 76 but with many illnesses.
“It’s been very difficult. There was no power, no reception, it was like we were on an uninhabited island.”
She becomes emotional and begins to weep.Image caption,
Viktor Kovalenko’s wife was killed by shelling a few days ago
They’re joined by their friend Viktor Kovalenko, whose wife was killed by shelling across the river a few days ago.
Before being rescued, he had to collect her death certificate from the Moscow-installed officials who now rule his neighbourhood.
“I buried her next to my mother. I told her to wait for me,” he says.
The pain he’s experiencing is visceral.
“I kept cursing the Russians in their faces. I don’t know how they didn’t kill me. If only you knew how great our life was together. Now I have no wife, no house, nothing.”
The eastern bank has seen the worst of the flooding, and it’s clear Maryna, Valentyna and Viktor are the lucky ones.
Hundreds of people there have been posting on the Telegram app asking to be rescued from there.
“Help me please!” writes Svitlana, who says there are 35 trapped people at an address. “They’re all on a nearby roof, children are screaming and crying,” she says.
“Three days without food and water, we are dying slowly. Please, please.”
On one local list, published on Friday, we’ve seen the names of 150 people who are reportedly missing.
Aliona posts: “Asking urgently! There is a 1939-born grandmother and 1958-born disabled woman. They need to be evacuated! Help!”
Our team called several numbers of people who said they were stuck on the Russian side, but there was no answer.Image caption,
Viktor has been helping to evacuate people
Dozens of people across Ukraine have responded with their addresses and an offer to provide accommodation after their rescue.
Ukraine’s military says it has been co-ordinating rescues from the eastern bank, but claimed “fearless volunteers” were carrying out some of the evacuations.
On board one rescue boat, as we weave through the vast expanse of Kherson’s flooded port, volunteer Viktor tells us he came under Russian fire while attempting such a trip.
“The problem is, Russian soldiers are waiting there and waiting for volunteers or soldiers to arrive so they can shoot them,” explains Viktor as he offers a lift to people trapped in their apartment blocks.
The BBC has not been able to independently verify these claims.
“Even now, working is difficult. At this very moment, Kherson is under attack. There was also shelling on the island, a rocket struck 30m away from us.”
In the last few days of reporting from Kherson, the city has come under increased shelling and the military administration has advised volunteers not to venture out on to the water.
But that hasn’t deterred people like Viktor, who continues to search for those trapped, still in need of help.
