Heavy Rainfall destroys properties in Balungu

A powerful windstorm accompanied by heavy rainfall at Balungu, a community in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region at the weekend destroyed properties running into thousands of cedis.

The storm, which occurred last Saturday at about 1730 hours lasted for close to three hours and caused havoc to several public and private properties in a community that is predominantly farmers.

The storm ripped off roofs of residential facilities, especially thatched houses, filling stations, some schools and it pulled down electricity poles and wires among others.

The Balungu Primary and Junior High School for instance, had its roofs ripped off and some wooden panels broken thereby, making the school inhabitable for the pupils to use for classes.

Mr George Ayamboi, Assemblyman for the Balungu Electoral Area, who spoke to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Balungu, said the schools needed to be repaired immediately to enable the pupils resume active classes, adding that, any delay could have adverse effect on academic work and the performance of the pupils.

He assured the residents of the area of his commitment to immediately liaise with the District National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) Office in Tongo, to see how best they could to put the school back in shape.

He said an inventory of all those affected in the disaster was ongoing and relief items would soon be distributed to them.

The people of Balungu are predominately farmers whilst others engage in petty trading such as operating small shops, and selling foodstuffs.

Source: GNA