Rainstorm causes havoc in Agona East District

A severe rainstorm that hit three communities in the Agona East District in Central Region at the weekend destroyed 50 houses including school buildings and rendered at least 300 people homeless.

The affected communities are Mankrong-Junction, Obratwa Owu and Mankrong Town.

The worst affected buildings were Methodist Kindergarten, Primary and Junior High School (JHS) Mankrong and Agona District Assembly JHS at Mankrong-Junction.

At Mankrong-Junction, the 30 minutes rain accompanied by strong wind uprooted about five electricity poles and destroyed electricity cables in the town, throwing the area into darkness.

The rainstorm ripped off Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission Mosque.

At Mankrong Town, Reverend  P. K Ansah, Priest of the Methodist Church and Head Teacher  of Methodist JHS told Mr Martin Luther Obeng, District Chief Executive (DCE) and his entourage that classes could not take place on Monday because the school buildings also had  it roofing blown off .

He said the situation could affect children of the school who would be writing their terminal examinations on Monday.

Rev Ansah said the Methodist Church building which could be used for the examination was not speared by the storm.

Mr Obeng appealed to the government, National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), non-government organisations and corporate bodies to come to the aid of the victims.

He said the extent of damage was beyond the capability of Assembly since the body is currently facing financial problem.

The DCE assured the victims that NADMO officials would assess the damage.

Alhaji Ibrahim Jabire, former Assemblyman for Mankrong-Junction –Oketsew appealed to the District Assembly and public-spirited organisations to encourage people to plant trees around their houses to serve as windbreaks.

Meanwhile the affected persons are putting up with relatives and friends.

Source: GNA