Death toll in the Tuesday's heavy downpour has increased from four to nine, Mr Kofi Portuphy, National Coordinator of National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) said in Accra on Wednesday.
President John Evans Atta Mills on Wednesday toured areas in Accra affected by floods that wreaked havoc in the capital and Tema and commiserated with the people who have lost loved ones and their property.
He visited the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, Odawna, Avenor, Alajo, Christian Village, Kisseman, Dome Railway Crossing and Dome Pillar 2.
A heavy downpour lasting seven hours from Tuesday night until Wednesday morning resulted in the floods.
President Mills shared the grief of families that lost dear ones and asked the people to remain calm as the Government worked out relief items for them. The flood waters have displaced thousands of people, many of whom are seen outside their homes retrieving furniture, household items and wares as well as other valuables from the waters that appear to be receding.
Others are seen sitting by their wares or wading through the waters to save what is left. President Mills said his presence was indicative of the concern of the Government, �particularly in this moment of grief.�
He was accompanied by the Minster of the Interior, Dr Benjamin Kunbour, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Armarh Ashietey, the National Coordinator of NADMO, Mr Kofi Portuphy, the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Kobina Ade Coker and other government officials.
The president assured the people that the Government would do everything possible to bring the situation under control. He called for a collaboration of the various political parties to address the problem that had become a perennial one.
He expressed gratitude to the relief agencies for their quick response to the situation. President Mills again cautioned against contributory acts such as building on water courses, dumping of refuse in water bodies as well as other activities that prevented the free flow of water.
He emphasised that life once lost could not be retrieved and said it was necessary that all acts that led to the loss of lives should be avoided. The Government, he said, would do its part but added that the people should respond positively to its interventions by being responsible in their actions.
At the Dome Railway Crossing, a car was carried away to the edge of a gutter as the waters roared like a lion.
The Greater Accra Regional Minister and a team of NADMO officials continued the tour to Adabraka Sahara, Dansoman and Malam Junction and the Mallam Market. The rain that inflicted havoc in Accra and Tema on Wednesday lasted for seven hours across the coastal belt, according to the Ghana Meteorological Agency.
The rain began on Tuesday night at 2000 hours and ended at 2100 hours and resumed at midnight and continued until 0600 on Wednesday, the Agency said.
Pokuase recorded 125.8mm of rain; Afienya had 70.2mm; Kotoka International Airport had 97.7mm; Ada had 29.1 and Akim Kusi recorded 37.6mm.
Other figures are Mamobi Polyclinic 124.9mm; Weija 84.9mm; Osu 70.7; National Archives 110.9mm; Accra Academy 107.8 and St Mary�s School 81.8mm.
For Wednesday, the weather is expected to be cloudy and sunny but by late afternoon, there would be showers and thunderstorms in the middle belt, Ashanti and Coastal belt.
Residents of several parts have been warned that one of the biggest threats to the public was electrocution from exposed electrical wires and at least one person had been confirmed as a victim.
A lot of valuable property had been lost in the floods that also disrupted some businesses and caused pain and distress to many residents across the two cities.
Vodafone Ghana's Accra North Offices were also affected and staff have been asked to stay away until further notice.
<<Print>>