Rainstorm kills one, destroys houses in Savelugu

A 60-year-old woman died on the spot, while her daughter and her grandson sustained injuries, when the house in which they lived collapsed on them during a rainstorm that hit Kanshegu in the Savelugu municipality in the Northern Region last Thursday night.

The deceased, identified as Sanatu Mohammed, has since been buried in accordance with Islamic tradition.

Sanatu’s daughter, Abiba Issah, 28, and her grandson, Salifu Issah, two, are receiving treatment at the Savelugu Municipal Hospital.

Assembly member, eyewitness

The Assembly member for the Nyolo Electoral Area in Savelugu, Mr Adam Mahama, confirmed the incident to the Daily Graphic. 

He said over 120 people at Kanshegu and Duko, also in the electoral area, had their buildings damaged during the heavy rains and were currently putting up with relatives and friends.

He made a passionate appeal to individuals, philanthropists and the government to go to the aid of the displaced people to lessen their suffering.

He attributed the flooding that followed the rainfall to the choked gutters that had not been cleared since they were constructed many years ago.

“I am here to assess the situation and report to the assembly for the necessary actions to be taken to avert future calamities,” Mr Mahama said.

According to an eyewitness, Mr Abdulai Amada, the building in which the deceased, her daughter and her grandson lived caved in about 7 p.m. last Thursday during the downpour that lasted for several hours and destroyed many homes.

Downpour

Checks by the Daily Graphic revealed that the rainstorm also affected a number of communities in the Sagnarigu municipality, the Tamale metropolis, the Tolon, Kumbungu and Nanton districts.

The Nabogu River in the Savelugu municipality overflowed its banks and caused destruction to many farms and homes.

As of the time of going to press, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in the Savelugu municipality was yet to assess the situation.