The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMA) has warned all about the dangers of flash floods during the coming rainy season. Flash floods are sudden inundation of water in low-lying areas brought on by heavy rains or dam break.
“Many people tend to underestimate the dangers of flash floods. What makes flash floods most dangerous is their sudden nature. Being in a vehicle provides little to no protection against being swept away; it may make people overconfident and less likely to avoid flash flood. As little as two feet of water (60 cm) can be enough to carry away most sport utility vehicles (SUV),” a release from GMA made available to GNA on Wednesday said.
The release, which was signed by Mr A.Y. Nkansah for the Acting Director-General of the Agency, said: “Flash flooding can be hazardous to small infrastructure, such as bridges, and weakly-constructed buildings. Soil erosion can occur as well, exposing risks of the landslide phenomenon. Plants and crops in agriculture areas can be destroyed and devastated by the force of raging water. Flash flooding can spread and produce water-borne and insect-borne diseases caused by micro organisms.”
The release urged all to listen to weather report of exceptionally heavy rainfall and to take precautionary measures including getting to higher grounds as quickly as possible; leaving areas likely to flood and not to attempt to cross flood water – “it is flowing more quickly than you think,” it said.
“If you are in car: Turn around and drive away from the flood area. Do not try to drive through the flooding area. Roads under the water could be washed out. A car that stalls in just two feet of water can be washed away. If your car stalls, exit the car immediately and get to higher ground.”
If you are indoors the release advised: “Move furniture and valuables to higher floors in your home. Fill plastic bottles with clean water. Bring outdoor furniture inside. If told to evacuate, do so as soon as possible. Keep important documents, passports, insurance policies and other valuables in a safe place.”
The release said: “After the flood; throw away food that has come into contact with flood water; boil drinking water before use. Do not visit disaster areas unless you are there to help. Report broken utility lines and make sure that electrical equipment is dried before restarting them.”