By Emmanuel Nyatsikor, GNA
Adaklu Helekpe (V/R), May 22, GNA – A severe mudslide on Wednesday destroyed properties worth thousands of Ghana Cedis at Adaklu Helekpe in the Adaklu district of the Volta region.
The mudslide happened during a torrential rainfall that lasted for over five hours.
The mudslide created a deep gorge from the top to the foot of the Adaklu mountain in which water was gushing through.
Properties destroyed included vehicles, agricultural machinery, buildings, and personal effects.
A woman and her three-year-old boy were injured during the mudslide and were admitted at the Ho Teaching Hospital.
A government delegation on Thursday visited the community to ascertain the extent of damage and to express their sympathy to the affected people.
The delegation included Mr Governs Kwame Agbodza, Minister for Roads and Highways and Member of Parliament for Adaklu, Mr. James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister and Mr. Jerry Yao Ameko, Adaklu District Chief Executive.
They were taken round by Rev. Jacob Reddekopp, who was worst affected and Mr Mark Dodzi Hoenyekor, Assemblyman for Adaklu Helekpe Electoral Area and Presiding Member of the Adaklu District Assembly.
Mr Agbodza advised the people to refrain from cutting down trees on the mountain and setting fire on it.
He stated that though natural disasters happened, destroying the vegetative cover of the mountain could also result in such occurrences.
The Minister recalled a similar incident that happened some years back but said the intensity of what happened on Wednesday was higher, adding, “who knows what would happen next.”
He advised the leadership of the community to put measures in place to avert the reoccurrence of “this sad event.”
Mr Agbodza urged the people whose houses were at the foot of the mountain to relocate to a safer place.
Mr Gunu praised the youth of the community for their efforts in rescuing those who were trapped in the mud.
He noted that the incident could be as a result of climate change and told the residents to be vigilant and report any unexplained sign on the mountain to NADMO.
Mr Gunu assured the people that Mr Agbodza, Mr Ameko, and himself would collaborate to see how best to assist those affected by the mudslide.
He noted that he would contact the Geological Survey Department and NADMO to conduct feasibility studies to ascertain the cause of the incident.
Mr Jerry Ameko advised that the school near the affected area be temporarily closed down.
The delegation later visited the injured people at the Ho Teaching Hospital to sympathise with them.
They wished them a speedy recovery and assured them that they would assist with their medical bills.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Linda Asante Agyei