A number of persons are said to have sustained
varied degrees of injury in Monday’s devastating rainstorm that swept through
parts of the Upper East Region.
Areas that were badly hit include the Bawku
West District, Kassena-Nankana West, Bongo, Talensi and the Pusiga district.
In
the Boko community of the Bongo District, a nine year old boy lost his life in
the wake of the storm with at least three others sustaining injuries.
However,
several houses including educational and health facilities had their roof
ripped-off, requiring urgent attention by concerned individuals and organizations.
Detailed Report
Most deprived
communities of the Upper East Region are still counting their losses following
a life threatening rainstorm that hit the region on Monday evening between the
hours of 5 and 6.pm.
The Bongo district is one the worst affected areas.
Hundreds have so far been rendered homeless with houses having their roof
completely ripped off.
This includes public facilities such as schools and CHPs
compounds. Affected communities include Sambolgo, Boko, Sikabisi, Agomo, Nabisi
and Bungu.
Thirteen schools and three CHPS compounds in Abokobisi, Feo and
Sikabisi also had their roofing completely ripped off.
The Balungu primary
school, Sambolgo DA and Junior High school, Bungu primary, Namoo LA primary
school and the Asakulsi primary schools were among the many educational
institutions were badly hit in the fierce rainstorm.
A visit by Radio Ghana to
some affected areas saw a wanton destruction of structures particularly school
buildings.
Shea trees and electrical high tension poles were not spared during the
heavy storm.
At Sabolgo, VRA sub-contractors were seen on site trying to
replace wires and poles that were affected in the course of the rainstorm.
The
situation at the Sambolgo DA Primary was an eye saw.
The 6-unit classroom block
has had its roof ripped off forcing students to abandon classesl.
The
Headmaster of the school, Jacob Abongo said the institution is left with no
option than to wait for assistance from authorities concerned.
He said the
situation has greatly affected academic work.
The situation was not different
in the affected school especially Namoo and Agomo primary schools.
At Namoo
pupils were seen having a field day because they had no shelter to study under.
Some of the students also shared their
frustration with Radio Ghana Operations at some health facilities have been
grounded, thus affecting quality care delivery.
CHP compounds at Abokobisi and Sikabisi are among those affected
facilities.
Moreover, the heavy rains that followed the storm washed away parts
of the road network linking the nearby communities.
This tree fell on the road
linking Namoo and Bongo Soe, making it difficult for motorists to ply on that
stretch.
Meanwhile, a rapid assessment team involving officials from the NADMO,
the District Directorates of the GES and the Ghana Health Service among other
key staff of the Bongo Assembly have conducted a field inspection to assess the
extent of damage caused to structures in the affected areas.
Mr Alexis Ayamdor
is the DCE for Bongo and doubles as the Chairman of the District Disaster
Management Committee.
He said so far 170
households have been affected with a number of people displaced.
According to
him, the assembly is relying on the support of government and other development
partners to re-roof the affected buildings and replace structures that were
badly damaged.
Three persons that got injured during the rainstorm have since
been treated and discharged from the Bongo District Hospital.
9 year old Ali Nyabaa,
who died during the ravaging storm, was hit by a branch of a mango tree when he
tried picking some mango fruits for desert.
GBC END ISAAC ASARE
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