Floods in STMA : Human activities cause 70% of floods – NADMO

Director of National Disaster Management Organisation for the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly, James Obeng says seventy percent of the floods in the Metropolis are cause by human activities.

Cases of flooding have increased in the Metropolis with the torrential rains, claiming five lives in May alone, while displacing many. Just two weeks ago, torrential rains swept through the Eshiem Community, displacing hundreds and destroying property worth an estimated GH₵ 112m, according to NADMO.

Speaking on the Jolly Breakfast Show today, James Obeng said while it was regrettable, much of this is self inflicted.

”To be honest with you, about 70% of the causes of the floods are from human activities. Among many things, we are building on water ways, blocking water courses, choking our gutters with plastics etc. which affect our drainage system. As a result, the water does not flow freely into the see and so when it rains with even minimal intensity and for even a few hours, it floods because water finds it way back into the mainland instead of entering the sea. Take for instance the floods at Eshiem; how do you construct a bridge that small and essentially block the course of the river? ” he explained.

He therefore cautioned citizens of the Metropolis to help tackle the menace by putting an end to some of these harmful habits.

”As a disaster management organisation, we are more than happy to offer support and relief, but we would be happier if individuals are not distressed at all. It is our hope that we will all be mindful of where we dispose of refuse, where we erect structures, especially in water ways” he concluded.