The head of Public Affairs of NADMO, George Ayisi, has revealed that his outfit is in constant touch with the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMA) on the weather update to enable it take various safety measures.
Speaking on efforts by NADMO to counter the effects of the heavy rains, he said NADMO takes daily reports from GMA to enable it take measures to help solve and prevent these unfortunate happenings which comes about as a result of the rains.
“Now they give us the weather forecast daily so that we can also relay it to the information centres. We can also relay the information to all the other districts across the country particularly the places that will be affected as a result of their forecast.”
George Ayisi
However, the challenge, he said, was the inconsistency of the rain pattern which sometimes doesn’t help them to plan properly.
On flood prevention, Mr. Ayisi said the District Assemblies have been tasked to desilt the various drainages in their jurisdiction,;acknowledging that desilting is a very important part of the organization’s efforts to prevent flooding.
Mr. Ayisi also explained that this will enable the flood waters flow freely to where they ought to flow and to avoid flooding as well as also help save lives and properties.
He further clarified that that exercise is a partnership with the Municipal Assemblies and not a situation of the Assemblies shirking off their responsibilities.
Kejetia flooding, not expected
Touching on the flooding that happened in Kumasi, Kejetia, Mr. Ayisi averred that it was a happening his outfit did not expect.
“We were not expecting the flooding to be as intense as it did as a result of the two days’ intensive rain. We knew those places are flood prone but we did not expect the level at which it happened.”
George Ayisi
He noted that the Fire Service and the Assembly have gone ahead to draft reports which indicates that some wood blocked the passage of the water which resulted in that situation. He was hopeful that if the issue is rectified the next heavy rains would not cause any flooding.
“So, yes, there were some impediments in those flood waters which resulted in the flooding at Kejetia. And we hope that, that is the actual reason. They said that also caused the busting of some pipelines in the area which worsened the case.”
George Ayisi
NADMO educates door-to- door
On the education methods employed by the organization,;he revealed that the door-to-door method is what the organization uses to sensitize the people since most of its workers reside in the various communities.
Additionally, he noted that community information centres are also used to relay the messages. He disclosed that the officers at the various regions have also been directed to embark on these sensitization exercise.
“Having done that before then too,;we had advised the people by embarking on community sensitization especially the flood prone areas. That doesn’t only apply to Kumasi, it applies to Accra and other parts of the country.
“We have all been given the weather forecast about the upcoming rains and how heavy they are going to be. With the Ashanti Region what we did is that we directed our men and officers to identify places that are safer where people living in flood prone zones can evacuate to incase the rains come and also become intense. So, we have identified some places like schools, communities centers and churches.”
George Ayisi
