The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has attributed the devastating floods that swept through parts of the Central Region over the weekend to the combined effects of climate change and harmful human activities that continue to undermine the natural environment.
The floods, which have been described as one of the worst disasters to hit the region in recent years, claimed the lives of 18 people, affected 13 districts and caused extensive destruction to homes, businesses and public infrastructure.
Several structures were also reported to have collapsed as floodwaters inundated communities, leaving many residents displaced and counting their losses.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, June 23, the Central Regional Director of NADMO, Emmanuel Kwesi Dawood, explained that while heavy rainfall played a significant role in the flooding, human actions had worsened the situation considerably.
“What we witnessed over the weekend was unprecedented. We have never recorded these volumes of floodwaters over the years and it is due to the increasing climate change activities and the adverse human activities on our environment.
“We have most of the inflows being blocked by some citizens for their personal interest. They engage in illegal reclamation of mangrove areas, wetlands, and flood-prone areas to put up structures that block the free flow of water to the designated water receptacles. We also have people dumping refuse into drains.”
The disaster has renewed concerns about the increasing frequency and intensity of flooding incidents across Ghana, particularly in vulnerable communities where rapid urbanisation, poor drainage systems and environmental degradation continue to pose serious challenges.
The NADMO Regional Director also warned that unless urgent measures are taken to protect wetlands, enforce planning regulations and discourage indiscriminate dumping of refuse, flooding incidents could become even more severe in the future.
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