A heavy rainstorm has destroyed about 400 houses, displacing approximately 5,000 peoplein parts of the Bawku West District in the Upper East Region of Ghana.
The affected communities include Timonde, Boya Kpalsako, Galaka, and Tanga Electoral Areas within the Zebilla area, following the rainstorm that occurred on 11 May 2026.
Speaking to the media, Mr. Mbugre Sunday, District Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), explained that about seven communities were seriously affected. He said the affected areas include those listed above, with an estimated 400 houses, as well as schools and health facilities suffering damage.
Mr. Mbugre added that the situation has left many residents with nowhere safe to go, and that victims are urgently in need of assistance.
He noted that authorities had initially planned to use damaged schools as temporary shelters, but discovered that some of the facilities were also ripped off and are currently unsuitable for refuge.He therefore appealed to NGOs and benevolent organisations to come to the aid of the affected people to help ensure their lives are protected and they can return to their normal activities, including their daily economic work.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Bawku West, Mr. James Ayamwego, also confirmed that the heavy rainfall swept through several communities across three electoral areas, causing extensive damage to both residential and public infrastructure. He said a joint assessment team visited the affected areas to evaluate the extent of the destruction and to sympathise with residents.
According to the DCE’s preliminary assessment, the rainstorm destroyed multiple residential houses, school buildings, health facilities, churches, and other community structures. He stated that several families have been displaced and are currently in urgent need of shelter, food, and basic relief items.The team expressed solidarity with the victims and assured them that the Assembly would mobilise support and coordinate relief efforts.
Mr. Ayamwego also made a public appeal to philanthropists, NGOs, and the general public to support the victims with items such as roofing sheets, food, clothing, bedding, and building materials.He advised residents to exercise caution during storms, especially as the rainy season continues.
The DCE , urged the public to avoid weak structures,stay indoors during heavy rainfall, and report emergencies promptly to NADMO.
He further said the Assembly has already taken the first step by moving into the community to assess the damage directly, showing its commitment to addressing the challenges.
He noted that while the Assembly may not have the full capacity to address the issues alone immediately, it is calling on **civil society organisations and all relevant institutions to assist in responding to the disaster as quickly as possible.
Source:mywordfmonline.com/Gaspard Adongo Ayuureneeya.