Floods Wreak Havoc In Tema

Several hours of rain in Accra and Tema overnight have wreaked havoc on the twin city causing floods, pain and discomfort to residents. Drains, streams and rivers are overflowing taking along personal property and goods. Many areas including Dansoman, Kasoa, Alajo, Kwame Nkrumah Circle and Graphic Road are under water, with residents scooping water from their rooms and trying to save personal effects. At some points, residents in some areas had to climb on roof tops as they called for assistance. Floods in some areas are at window level and there are fears that with the waters moving southwards into the sea, the worst is yet to come. The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), the Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana National Fire Service, Acra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and Ghana Police Service have gone into action in various places but the scale of the havoc means many people are still yet to receive assistance. Roads and bridges have been cut and gulleys have been created thus cutting-off residents in many areas creating huge traffic jams in the city. The Ashiaman underpass on the Accra-Tema Motorway has been flooded with commuters now walking across the speedway to either side of the tunnel. An accident involving five vehicles on the Tema-Accra end has built up a huge traffic, at a point stretching for about two kilometres. The Minister of Education, Mrs Betty Mould-Iddrisu, has orders all schools in Accra and Tema to remain closed for the day. Accra, which is in a low-lying area, has had a perennial problem with floods. Haphazard development, flouting of building regulations and building on waterways have all conspired to compound the situation.