A little over an hour of heavy rainfall on Saturday left several roads in Garu Township flooded, stranded motorists and pedestrians, disrupted trading activities and renewed calls for improved road and drainage infrastructure.
The downpour, which began at about 12:55 p.m. and ended around 1:20 p.m., submerged major roads across the township in muddy floodwaters as overflowing drains made movement difficult for residents.
Commercial motorcycle riders, who depend on daily patronage for their livelihoods, struggled to transport passengers through the flooded roads, while heavy trucks were forced to halt and pedestrians searched for safer routes.
Among the worst-hit roads was the Garu-Binduri road, popularly known as the Quality Road. Other affected routes included the stretch from the Community Centre through the District Police Station, Asari Corner to Denugu, and Yakubu Corner to Kpatia.
Floodwaters also inundated parts of the central market, the township’s commercial hub, particularly from Moshi Zongo through the market square to the Y-Junction, disrupting business activities.
Residents attributed the flooding not only to the intensity of the rainfall but also to years of poor road infrastructure and inadequate drainage systems.
According to residents, Garu Township has only four kilometres of tarred roads despite its growing population and expanding economic activities. Two kilometres were constructed in 1996 during the administration of former President Jerry John Rawlings, while the remaining two kilometres were built in 2007 under former President John Agyekum Kufuor.
Nearly two decades after the last major road construction, residents say they continue to endure flooding and poor accessibility whenever heavy rains occur.
They are therefore appealing to the government and relevant authorities to prioritise the rehabilitation of roads and the construction of effective drainage systems to prevent future flooding and safeguard lives and livelihoods.
Source: www.kumasimail.com/Bra Nash
