Seven killed in Ghana floods, heavy rains set to continue

The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) has advised persons in flood-prone areas to vacate their homes and move to higher grounds until the rainy season is over.

CAPE TOWN, June 29 (ANA) – The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) on Monday warned of more rains to hit the country after seven people were killed in floods that swept parts of southern Ghana.

The death toll reached seven after three more bodies were recovered in the city of Kumasi, according to Atakora Manu, the administrator of the National Disaster Management Organisation of Ashanti Region, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) has advised persons in flood-prone areas to vacate their homes and move to higher grounds until the rainy season is over.

“For those of us living along the coastal areas, we should expect more rain. We are still in June, and so we are not out of the woods yet.

“We have to brace ourselves for a few more rains before we get out of it,” the head of forecasting at the agency, Tettey Portuphy, said.

Authorities said that more casualties are possible as a search operation continues in the city of Kumasi.

Furthermore, according to the website floodlist.com, the National Disaster Management Organisation NADMO has requested the Ghana Education Service (GES) ensure that schools in the Ashanti Region close early following the heavy rains.

Local media report that a high number of flood victims in Ghana are children making their way to or from school without adult supervision during periods of heavy rain.

According to the website, at least 12 children died in floods in the Ashanti Region in September to October 2019.

Severe flooding struck the region again in 2020, including areas of Kumasi, where a young child died.

– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Naomi Mackay