Keta: NADMO cautions residents close to the sea to evacuate to avoid high tidal wave distraction
The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) at Keta in the Volta Region, has issued a warning to residents living close to the sea to evacuate to safer grounds to avoid the high tidal wave destruction.
The warning comes because of studies by the Ghana Meteorological Agency about the rising sea levels, which are expected to record in the range between 1.8 to 2.5 meters during the rainy season.
Mr. Wonder Setsoafia Deynu, Keta NADMO Director, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said that the expected rising sea levels pose a significant threat to coastal communities which also threatened the risk of tidal waves, flooding, and property damage.
“We are cautioning our people, especially those that are very close to the sea, to evacuate immediately to safer areas as we put necessary precautionary measures across to ensure their safety,” he said.
He advised that residents should take precautions, which include securing canoes, nets, and other fishing gear away from the immediate shores and avoid fishing during high tides or when sea conditions are dangerous to avoid any unfortunate occurrences.
He appealed to others to relocate their valuables and fish stocks to higher ground if possible and monitor weather updates and sea level warnings regularly before going fishing.
“We are calling on chief fishermen, media houses, information centres, and all community leaders to help disseminate this vital information to ensure safety for all since community awareness is crucial in preventing loss of life and property.”
Mr. Deynu explained that NADMO is working closely with the public to spread educative announcements to protect lives, livelihoods, and property which were necessary precautions that could minimise the risks associated with the high tidal waves.
He said that tidal waves could cause significant damage to property and infrastructure and can also result in loss of life and the warning by the NADMO was a timely reminder for residents to take necessary precautions and prioritise their safety.
Mr. Wisdom Seadey, the Keta Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), also disclosed that public education and advice are ongoing to help residents understand the dangers associated with tidal waves and evacuate to safer places to stay with relatives and families.
He said community preparedness was key to responding to disasters and the advice from the NADMO, Meteorological services and other stakeholders was essential in helping residents prepare for and respond to disasters.
GNA upon a visit to the shores at Keta observed that many Fisherfolks were packing their fishing nets to safer grounds, while other residents who were closer to the sea were also relocating their property and other belonging to friend and families in other areas.
Some residents who GNA engaged expressed fear and panic over the announcement and called on the NADMO and other authorities to put in place other alternatives to mitigate the tidal wave distractions.
They appealed to the government to speed up the plans to implement the sea defense wall projects construction to prevent further tidal wave challenges along the coast of the region.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Meteorological Service has earlier warned that the sea level is expected to rise above land level on Friday, June 27 and Sunday, June 29, and cautioned residents along the coast and fishermen to be more careful in their activities.
Source: GNA
