Flooding situation in Kumasi could worsen – NADMO

With the onset of the rainy season, there are growing concerns that the flooding situation in some parts of Kumasi, Ghana, could worsen – NADMO.

The National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) has raised alarms about the potential for increased flooding, attributing the heightened risk to haphazard building on waterways.

In 2023, more than ten lives were lost in flood-related incidents in the Ashanti Region, and many livelihoods were destroyed, leaving numerous victims struggling to recover from their losses.

The impact of the rains last year was more severe than in previous years, despite efforts to desilt drainage systems and implement other mitigating measures.

This year, the Ghana Meteorological Agency has already forecasted heavier rains, raising fears of an even more severe flooding situation.

NADMO is particularly concerned about the growing encroachment on waterways and wetlands.

The organization has observed that areas which previously did not experience flooding are now prone to severe floods, even with minimal rainfall.

“The past four years we’ve witnessed areas that used not to flood, now flooding heavily with the least rains.

There is a lot of encroachment within our system. In a spate of a year, the massive development and encroachment on buffer zones and wetlands are alarming.

We don’t have any major withholding area for water in Kumasi now because about 75% of such lands are gone. This is certainly not right and may cost us heavily,” explained Frank Duodu, Ashanti Regional NADMO Coordinator.

One particularly tragic incident occurred at Atafoa, where four lives were lost last year when victims attempted to cross a flooded bridge.

In response, the government has decided to reconstruct the bridge to prevent further loss of life and mitigate the perennial flooding issue.

Residents are hopeful that the reconstruction will be completed before the heavy rains begin. “This bridge has claimed several lives, so we were all happy when work to expand the bridge started.

Looking at the current size of the bridge, we anticipate that after the construction the flood issue we have will be addressed,” said Isaac Owusu, a local resident.

In areas like Aboabo Pelele, where flooding has become a norm, residents are bracing themselves for the coming rains.

“We’ve complained about our drainage for years, but no one seems to care about us. Until the drainage system is expanded, this area will continue to flood, and we the residents will have to bear the brunt because we have nowhere to go. We are just praying that the intensity of the rain reduces,” lamented Sumaila Musah, another resident.

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NADMO has announced that it is taking steps, in collaboration with the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies, to pull down all structures that are sitting on waterways.

This measure aims to minimize the impact of the heavy rains and reduce the risk of flooding.

To curb the worsening flooding situation in Kumasi, here are five suggested measures NADMO can put in place:

1. Strict Enforcement of Building Regulations: Authorities should enforce strict regulations against building on waterways and wetlands.

Any unauthorized structures should be promptly demolished to prevent obstruction of natural water flow.

2. Improved Drainage Systems: There should be a comprehensive overhaul and expansion of the existing drainage systems in flood-prone areas.

This includes regular desilting and maintenance to ensure that water can flow freely during heavy rains.

3. Public Awareness Campaigns: Increased public education and awareness campaigns are necessary to inform residents about the dangers of encroaching on waterways and the importance of proper waste disposal to avoid blocking drainage systems.

4. Reforestation and Afforestation Projects: Implementing reforestation and afforestation projects can help absorb excess rainwater and reduce the speed at which water flows into urban areas.

Planting trees and maintaining green spaces can act as natural water retention systems.

5. Early Warning Systems and Emergency Preparedness: Establishing robust early warning systems to alert residents of impending heavy rains can help communities prepare and take necessary precautions.

Additionally, emergency response teams should be well-equipped and trained to handle flood-related incidents promptly and efficiently.

By implementing these measures, the government and relevant stakeholders can work towards mitigating the impact of flooding in Kumasi and protecting the lives and properties of its residents.

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