NZULEZU SUBMERGED IN FLOOD (BACK PAGE)

Story: Moses Dotsey Aklorbortu, Nzulezu
The stilt village on River Amanzule, popularly known as Nzulezu near Beyin in the Jomoro District of the Western Region have submerged due to the increasing flow of rain water into that river.
But the inhabitants insist on staying to rebuild their collapsed stilt houses despite the warning from the metrological department of more rains in the months ahead.
At the time of the incident, the inhabitants of the village and some tourists were asleep when the water level went up swallowing the stilt buildings above knee and destroying the weak buildings as well as properties worth thousands of Ghana Cedi.
The only stilt gust house for visitors who wished to spend the night with the people had its floors completely wash away by the heavy current at the time of the flood while other structures were lifted from the piece of wood supporting the buildings above the water.
More than ten other houses, shops, power generators and drinking bars on the river were destroyed by the high current flood waters, but there were no casualties as the people claimed the felt the water through the stilt floors of their houses and kept wake until the water level went down.
The town of Beyin and its surrounding communities were not spared as well.
At Peace-Town near Amuzule in the northern part of Half-Assini, more than 100 people have been displaced as the whole community had relocated to their relatives on higher grounds.
More than 13 houses at Peace Town and Bonyire have submerged in the water and residents have also relocated.
When the Daily Graphic news team got to Tekenta, the road was divided into two parts by the flood waters, passengers have to get down and cross to the trench created by the flood to the other side before boarding another vehicles to the district capital.
The people of Nzulezu and all other affected parts of the district are appealing for help to contain the situation.
However, a delegation made up of officials of National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and Regional Coordinating Council, and the District chief Executive, Mr Nyianyi Kablan were led by the Deputy Western Regional Minister, Ms Betty Busumtwi-Sam to the affected areas.
They elders of the town claimed the loss in the flood was not quantifiable and fear to worse was yet to come.
Some parts of Tekenta and Adu, Anlotuape are currently confined at the roads have been rendered unmotorable and very torturous.
There had been a huge trenches created by the flood thereby limiting the movement of vehicles to the area.
The Deputy Minister, sympathized with the people and said to be on the safer aside, those at low lands should move to the safer ground.
The Deputy Minister advices those at Nzulezu to ensure that while they prepare to put up new structures they should elevate it higher than the current level to avert any disaster in the future.
“I must also urge you to protect lives of your women and children since you have resorted to remain and build your houses, we are all aware of the economic and social benefits of your community to the country and to your community and we would do what we can to support you, we need you alive,” she said.

The chief of the area, Awulae Annor Adjaye III, the Paramount Chief of West Traditional Area appealed to the Department of Feeder Roads to come to the aid of the people and support those at Nzulezu to rebuild their structures and the construction of trenches to carry away future flood.