At least 93 houses have collapsed and more than 246 people have been left without shelter after severe flooding hit the North East Gonja District of the Savannah Region, following continuous rainfall that began on Wednesday.
The floods have also destroyed food stocks, farm produce and livestock, and washed away a key feeder road, cutting off the communities of Lantung Park, Kedingi and Kanankula from surrounding towns and markets.
The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) says it has assessed the damage and submitted situation reports to its headquarters, with relief items expected within 48 hours of the assessment.
The disaster adds to the list of flood incidents Ghana has recorded during this year’s rainy season. Earlier in the year, heavy downpours in Accra prompted the Ghana Armed Forces to clear drains and remove illegal structures in a flood-control exercise.
North East Gonja floods: 93 houses collapse
District Chief Executive for North East Gonja, Abdul Mumin Ewuntomah, confirmed that 93 structures collapsed as a result of the floods.
The collapsed buildings were mainly residential, leaving more than 246 residents displaced and in need of shelter.
Flood damage in North East Gonja at a glance
- Houses collapsed: 93
- People left without shelter: more than 246
- Communities cut off: Lantung Park, Kedingi and Kanankula
- Other losses: food stocks, farm produce (soybeans, maize, rice) and livestock
- Infrastructure: a key feeder road linking several communities destroyed
- Relief timeline: relief items expected within 48 hours of NADMO’s assessment
NADMO response to Savannah Region floods
The Savannah Regional Director of NADMO, Mahama Zakaria, said the organisation’s focus is on assessing the damage and supporting those affected.
“Our immediate priority is to assess the extent of the damage and provide support to residents who have been displaced,” he said.
NADMO has documented the damage and forwarded situation reports to its national headquarters. More information on the organisation’s mandate is available on the official NADMO website.
Feeder road washed away, communities cut off
The destruction of the feeder road has left Lantung Park, Kedingi and Kanankula isolated, disrupting movement to markets.
According to 3News, the damage also threatens residents’ access to healthcare in Bunjai and Salaga.
The DCE called for emergency repairs to the road. “This road is very important because it links several communities to the market,” Mr Ewuntomah said.
What the floods mean for residents and farmers
For many families, the floods have wiped out both their homes and their food reserves at the same time.
Luckman Musah, one of the affected residents, said he lost his harvest and animals. “I have lost bags of soybeans, maize and rice, as well as my livestock, to the floods,” he said, appealing to government for support.
Traders are also counting losses. A business operator identified only as Eric said: “The damaged road has affected our businesses because customers and traders can no longer move freely.”
What happens next
NADMO is expected to distribute relief items to displaced residents within 48 hours of completing its assessment.
Local authorities are pushing for emergency repairs to the damaged feeder road to reconnect the cut-off communities to markets and health services.
Affected residents are appealing to government for further support to rebuild homes and replace lost food stocks and livestock.
Key details at a glance
- Floods hit North East Gonja District, Savannah Region, after rains that began Wednesday.
- 93 houses collapsed, according to DCE Abdul Mumin Ewuntomah.
- More than 246 people have been left without shelter.
- Lantung Park, Kedingi and Kanankula are cut off after a feeder road was destroyed.
- Food stocks, farm produce and livestock were lost.
- NADMO says relief items are expected within 48 hours of its assessment.
FAQs
How many houses collapsed in the North East Gonja floods?
93 houses collapsed in the North East Gonja District, according to District Chief Executive Abdul Mumin Ewuntomah.
How many people were affected by the Savannah Region floods?
More than 246 people have been left without shelter after the floods in North East Gonja.
Which communities were cut off by the North East Gonja floods?
Lantung Park, Kedingi and Kanankula were cut off after floodwaters destroyed a key feeder road serving the area.
The North East Gonja floods have destroyed 93 homes, displaced more than 246 people and cut off three communities, with NADMO promising relief items within 48 hours and local leaders calling for urgent repairs to the damaged feeder road.
