Are we prepared for the rains this year?
In many communities the onset of the rains is welcome because the rainwater replenishes what has been lost usually during the long dry seasons.
In our part of the world, where most of our farmers do not have irrigation facilities and, therefore, depend on rainwater for their farming activities, little or no rain means they cannot enjoy bumper harvests, a situation that has dire consequences for their livelihoods.
The onset of the rains is, therefore, good news for the agricultural sector.
At the same time, sections of the public often fear and panic whenever the rainy season sets in. This is because the rains usually bring floods that affect people’s homes, businesses and lives.
There is no doubt that the destruction caused by torrential rains is an annual ritual and many families and industrial establishments have lost their livelihoods, while others have been displaced after the slightest rains.
Floods also interrupt the natural process and affect agricultural production on farmlands.
The causes of floods, especially in the urban areas, are very well known. Indisciplined human activities such as littering, building on watercourses, as well as the ineffective drainage system, have led to the annual occurrence of floods.
We are aware that the government is undertaking a number of projects such as the construction of storm drains aimed at reducing floods, especially in the urban areas. In the past, efforts aimed at bringing sanity into the cities and peripheral settlements through the demolition of structures on watercourses were hampered because of legal actions brought against assemblies.
Last week, a number of industries on the Graphic Road expressed concern over the silted nature of the Odaw River and called for steps to avert another flood this year.
Already, the Meteorological Services Agency, in line with its core duty, has predicted a longer rainy season this year and urged the public to prepare ahead of the season for any eventualities.
The Daily Graphic calls on metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies to intensify their education programmes on the need to keep a clean environment and take steps to clear all drains of silt to allow the free flow of running water.
The National Disaster Management Organisation, the institution charged with handling disasters in the country, should also be equipped to carry out its sensitisation programmes and be able to offer immediate assistance when the need arises.
We believe that although floods are a natural phenomenon, adequate measures can be taken in readiness to stem any disasters during the rainy season. We should not wait till the rains have come and caused damage before we call on the government for support.
The time to do something is long overdue.
