Tsekpor appeals for urgent support as River Dayi floods displace residents

Member of Parliament for Hohoe, Thomas Worlanyo Tsekpor, has appealed for urgent support for more than 4,000 residents displaced by flooding following the overflow of the River Dayi in the Hohoe Municipality of the Volta Region.

The MP said the severity of the flooding had caused significant damage to homes, properties and livelihoods, overwhelming the capacity of the Municipal Assembly and local authorities to adequately respond to the needs of affected residents.

According to reports by Gahmenseh, a Hohoe-based journalist, the flooding followed heavy rainfall and an overflow of the River Dayi, affecting several communities located around the river, with Zongo reportedly among the worst-hit areas.

Tsekpor said more than half of Zongo had been submerged by the rising floodwaters, forcing several residents to abandon their homes and seek refuge in temporary shelters.

He appealed to individuals, organisations and other stakeholders to support the affected residents with relief items and other forms of assistance to help them cope with the situation.

“I wish to extend my heartfelt sympathy to all individuals and families who have suffered losses as a result of the recent floods,” he said.

The MP said he appreciated the difficulties and distress caused by the disaster and urged affected residents to remain calm as efforts were being intensified to address their immediate needs.

According to the Municipal Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Raphael Kumagah, about 400 houses and 4,282 households had so far been affected by the flooding.

He explained that the floodwaters were not originating solely from Hohoe but were also coming from neighbouring Togo, resulting in the River Dayi overflowing its banks.

Kumagah said residents who had built close to the river were particularly affected, with their homes, belongings and other properties inundated by the rising water.

He said NADMO had secured temporary accommodation for some of the displaced residents in school buildings and a mosque while providing mattresses, food and drinking water as immediate relief.

The temporary arrangements, he said, would remain in place while the Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, the MCE, Prosper Kumi, the MP and NADMO continue assessing the situation to determine a more comprehensive relief package for the affected residents.

Tsekpor, after visiting some of the affected communities, assured the victims that relief assistance would be provided within the next three days.

He also cautioned residents to prioritise their safety, noting that the water level was continuing to rise.

Meanwhile, the Municipal Chief Executive, Municipal Physical Planning Officer, engineers from the Assembly and NADMO officials are on the ground assessing the affected communities and documenting the extent of the damage.

The assessment is expected to guide further interventions and help authorities identify measures to mitigate the impact of flooding and prevent a recurrence.

The MP reiterated his sympathy to the affected families and called for collective support to help residents who have lost their homes, properties and livelihoods in the disaster.