Three people washed away by floods at Atafoa

Three people have been washed away through flooding in the Owabi River at Atafoa on Tuesday, October 19, 2021, in the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly of the Ashanti Region.

Although the Assemblymember for Abrepo Mpatasie Electoral Area, Hon. Daniel Acheampong failed to confirm the news to SoireeNews, yet he centred on the report of an eyewitness.

The bodies of the deceased have still not been found.

Flooding has been a major issue at Atafoa and its surrounding towns following a series of deaths recorded whenever it rains. Residents have complained bitterly about the situation for some time yet the government have turned death ears at the situation.

Hon. Daniel Acheampong asserted that although the bridge needs to be renovated to contain the pressure from the flood yet inhabitants’  awkward and uncultivated attitude of dumping in the waterways leads to flooding.

“Drowning is not a new thing,” he said.

“It's been happening every time there is a heavy downpour. Residents dump refuse in the river. We have four water bodies which are all channelled here from surrounding towns.

“We embark on communal labour and tidy up the watercourse yet the moment we are done, people dump heavily which also leads to choking and creates flooding. The result of what we are seeing is our irresponsibility.

“If we clean today, tomorrow people will be dumping in it.”

The Assemblymember assured that the bridge is in the process of being expanded to be able to contain the heavy water flow in a controlled way. He advised residents to avoid crossing the bridge when it is flooded.

“The bridge is in the process of construction but it will take time. Our advice is that people should not try to cross the water when it's flooding.”