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Mr Agyeman (middle) addressing the press conference in Tamale. With him is Mr Saeed (left), the Northern Regional Minister
Mr Agyeman (middle) addressing the press conference in Tamale. With him is Mr Saeed (left), the Northern Regional Minister

‘Operation Thunderbolt’ launched in Tamale to sensitise residents to floods

The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has launched what it terms "Operation Thunderbolt" in Tamale, to kick-start a sensitisation programme in communities often affected by the annual spillage from the Bagre Dam in neighbouring Burkina Faso.

The exercise is being undertaken by NADMO in the three regions of the north in collaboration with the Red Cross, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the 48 Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces (GFA) and other security agencies.

“Operation Thunderbolt” is aimed at educating residents along the flood-prone areas in the three regions of the north, especially in parts of the Northern and Upper East regions, on the need for inhabitants to relocate temporarily from their places of abode to prevent any havoc ahead of the spillage.

Emergency disaster zone

The area has also been declared as an emergency disaster zone following the recent floods that claimed lives and destroyed properties, including buildings, bridges and farmlands.

The Director General of NADMO, Mr Eric Nana Agyeman Prempeh, who disclosed this at a press conference held in Tamale to launch the exercise last Thursday, said the initiative was to provide a swift response to flood victims from the possible spillage of the Bagre Dam.

He said as part of the emergency response initiative, NADMO would set up a camp at Walewale, the West Mamprusi District in the Northern Region, to offer temporary shelters for possible flood victims during the spillage.

Mr Prempeh, however, stated that Tamale would be the coordinating centre for the operations.

Spillage

Authorities in Burkina Faso spill excess water in the Bagre Dam every year. This, however, causes floods in communities along the White and Black Volta in the Northern parts of Ghana, destroying properties and rendering residents homeless.

According to Mr Prempeh, his outfit has liaised with Burkinabe officials to give prior notice to Ghanaians on when the dam will be spilled.

Advice

Mr Agyeman, however, advised residents in affected communities against building on watercourses and called on city authorities to apply appropriate sanctions against such recalcitrant developers.

Meanwhile, NADMO officials in the Northern Region have begun the distribution of relief items to victims of the recent floods in the area.

Appeal

The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Salifu Saeed, appealed to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other philanthropists to support the efforts of NADMO in assisting the flood victims.

He revealed that the recent floods also destroyed large farmlands under a ‘Planting for Food and Jobs’ programme initiated by the government.

Mr Saeed further stated that a team of NADMO officials would visit all the 26 districts in the region with engineers to ascertain the impact of the flood.

He added that a report would aid in the re-engineering of the Tamale city and the region at large.

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