Ashanti NADMO releases data on disasters

The Ashanti Regional Office of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has released a report on disasters that occurred in the region  in 2014.

Among the elements that contributed to the disasters and brought about extreme ruin and misfortune resulting in great losses were fire, rain, windstorm, floods and others that were caused through man-made errors.

In all, about 199 cases of disaster were recorded in the region last year, affecting about 20,828 people and resulting in a cost of about GH¢13 billion to the state.

According to the report, 60 cases of disaster were recorded in the first quarter of last year alone, affecting 4,830 people with an estimated cost of about GH¢4,740,000 to the nation.

Statistics in the report made available by NADMO indicated that the second quarter of last year recorded the highest fire outbreaks of 22, followed by the first quarter with 21 and 11 in the third quarter, with the fourth quarter recording nine outbreaks. The estimated total cost of damage resulting from  the fire outbreaks in the year was put at GH¢7,229,200.

With regard to rain and windstorm, the study said the highest of 58 cases was registered in the second quarter, followed by the first quarter with 35 cases and the third and fourth quarters with 13 cases and six cases respectively. 

The report said there were single cases of flood in the first, second and fourth quarters. There was no flood in the third quarter, while there were two man-made disasters in the first quarter and only one in the third quarter.

It, therefore, recommended an intensification of public educational programmes on ways of staying safe during disasters and how to prevent them.