Ghana warns of prolonged flooding below Weija Dam without resident relocation
Ghana’s National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) said flooding in communities downstream of the Weija Dam will continue unless authorities decide to relocate residents from areas that were originally designated as buffer zones. This was reported by MyJoyOnline.
Buffer areas have been built up
NADMO Greater Accra Regional Director Dennis Nartey said this on September 9 while assessing the consequences of flooding in affected communities. According to him, when the dam was built, areas downstream were deliberately left as buffer zones so they could accommodate excess water when the reservoir level was high.
However, years of development in these zones have significantly reduced the space available for water. As a result, communities downstream of the dam remain vulnerable when water is discharged from it. Nartey stressed that political will is needed to relocate people from such areas.
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Warnings and safe locations
The official explained that NADMO’s primary task is to reduce risks to people and property by informing the public and providing early warnings. He assured that there is no reason for panic, as the organisation has intensified its awareness campaigns.
According to Nartey, NADMO has identified safer elevated areas where residents will be able to move in the event of possible flooding. The organisation will warn people when high water levels upstream are expected.
