Communities cut off, bridges destroyed – Buem MP reveals flooding devastation in Hohoe

Communities in Hohoe and adjacent regions of the Volta and Oti Regions have been cut off due to the River Dayi overflowing its banks, destroying bridges and rendering several roads impassable. The Buem Member of Parliament, Kofi Adams, attributed the flooding to days of heavy rainfall in Togo, where the River Dayi originates from a mountainous area along the Ghana-Togo border.

The river flows through Buem, Hohoe, and the North and South Dayi areas. The recent surge of water has caused widespread destruction in communities along its course, disrupting movement and access to alternative routes. The heavy rains in Togo lasted for two days before similar rains hit his constituency on the third day, causing the river to overflow its banks.

Several bridges were destroyed, further exacerbating the isolation of affected communities. The Roads Minister responded swiftly by contacting regional directors of the Ghana Highways Authority in the Oti and Volta Regions, and mobilizing contractors to assist in restoring access. The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and other security agencies have also been involved, with community and individual groups volunteering accommodation for displaced residents.

Authorities are awaiting a full assessment of the damage and further interventions. Beyond the damage to infrastructure, efforts are being made to prevent a potential water-related health crisis. Ghana Water has supplied strategic water to some areas to prevent residents from relying on traditional water sources, such as streams.

NADMO officials are also educating residents on the importance of boiling water before drinking or using it. The MP described the flooding as unprecedented in the area, a situation he had never witnessed since his childhood.