HUNDREDS DISPLACED BY FLOODS IN ADA AREA (BACK PAGE, NOV 6, 2010)

THREE Hundred and Eighteen people in six communities downstream of the Volta Lake near the Ada estuary have been displaced following the spillage of excess water from the Akosombo dam.
The predicament of the victims at Azizakpe, Alorkpem, Charwetsonya, Aflive, Alorwusode Kope and Adjim has been compounded by tidal waves, which pound coastal communities in November, every year.
The flooding swept away household items and livestock of the residents while the lake, which serves as a source of drinking water for the affected communities, has been contaminated.
During a visit by the Daily Graphic to the affected communities last Thursday, the displaced persons were busily salvaging their belongings from the debris while canoes and boat owners evacuated women and children to high grounds along the lake.
According to the residents, the scale of flooding, which started in the communities at about 2:30 a.m. was unprecedented.
They have, therefore, made a passionate appeal to the VRA to make available sand from the ongoing dredging project being undertaken in the lake by the authority, to build defence walls to protect the officials of the District Assembly Disaster Management Committee who toured the affected areas said they were surprised at the extent of damage.
The District Co-ordinator of NADMO, Mr Samuel Portuphy, told the Daily Graphic that the provision of tents, mattresses and other relief items was in progress while additional support was being sought from the regional office of NADMO to ameliorate the plight of the people.
The Greater Accra Regional Co-ordinator of NADMO, Mr Winfred Nomotey-Tesia, who was part of the inspection team, expressed worry about the situation and assured the people that NADMO would work in close collaboration with VRA and other stakeholders to restore life in the communities to normal as soon as practicable.
In a related development, one person is feared dead and a number of properties destroyed at Sogakope following persistent flooding over the last four days, reports Victor Kwawukume, Sogakope.
A man and a woman who attempted crossing from Kasa to Asutsuari in the North Tongu District had their canoe capsized. But while the woman was rescued, the man was still missing.
The Mepe community, which seems likely to be the most vulnerable point of flooding, was being monitored for an eventual evacuation in the event of the river there over-flowing its banks.