By Frank Kwame Abbor, GNA
Ho, June 30, GNA – The Volta Regional Directorate of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has activated a comprehensive flood preparedness plan across five flood-prone districts in the Volta Region following recent heavy rains, with authorities intensifying preventive measures to avert casualties.
Mr Pascal Agbagbah, the Volta Regional Director of NADMO, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that although the recent downpour caused limited impact in the Hohoe enclave, several communities located downstream in the Volta Region experienced flooding due to rising water levels.
He said the most vulnerable areas remained the three Tongu Districts, Keta and Anloga, where the NADMO had intensified preparedness activities because of the areas’ susceptibility to flooding during the rainy season.
Mr Agbagba said: “We have drawn up a comprehensive flood preparedness plan. We know what to do, where to start from, what resources are available, where those resources will be allocated, and the steps that must be taken.
“We are following the plan strictly to ensure that we protect our people and do not record any deaths.”
He explained that the organisation had pre-positioned relief items and strengthened coordination with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, the Ghana Police Service and other emergency response agencies to facilitate rapid evacuation and relief operations should the need arise.
Mr Agbagbah noted that community engagement and public education had also been intensified to encourage residents in flood-prone communities to remain vigilant, heed early warning messages and cooperate with emergency officials during any evacuation exercise.
He disclosed that Mr Stephen Adom, the Ho Municipal Chief Executive, had been tasked to ensure the dredging of drains around the Dornorkodzi area in Ho to improve the free flow of storm water and minimise the risk of flooding should heavy rains persist.
The Regional Director said disaster management was a shared responsibility and urged residents to avoid building on waterways, dumping refuse into drains and ignoring safety advisories issued by relevant authorities.
He reaffirmed the NADMO’s commitment to working closely with all stakeholders to ensure the region remained prepared throughout the rainy season, stressing that protecting lives and property remained the organisation’s foremost priority.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah