The cries of children, the wailing of mothers and the sight of families scrambling to save their few belongings painted a heart-breaking picture at Samreboi and its surrounding communities, after a devastating flood submerged large parts of the area, following Monday’s heavy rainfall.
What was once a bustling community in the Amenfi West Municipality of the Western Region has now become a scene of despair, with entire neighborhoods swallowed by muddy floodwaters.
More than 180 houses in Aboi, Cocoase and Palazzo have been inundated, forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes in search of safety.
The disaster has claimed at least one life, deepening the grief that now hangs over the affected communities.
For many residents, years of hard work disappeared within hours, as floodwaters swept through homes, destroying furniture, household items, food supplies and personal belongings.
Families were seen carrying children on their backs, while others waded through waist-deep water to salvage whatever they could.
“We have lost everything,” lamented one resident, whose home was completely submerged, adding “we don’t know where to start from again.
“Schools and churches have been converted into temporary shelters for displaced victims, many of whom spent the night without adequate bedding, food or clothing.
“Children, the elderly and nursing mothers, are among the most vulnerable, now relying on the generosity of neighbours and relief agencies.”
Residents blamed the catastrophe largely on illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey, which they say have severely degraded the environment and altered natural waterways, making the area increasingly prone to flooding.
The Municipal Chief Executive for Amenfi West, Priscilla Yorke, led officials from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to assess the extent of the destruction and provide immediate support to affected families.
The team visited temporary shelters and assured victims that efforts were underway to provide relief assistance.
The scale of devastation has shocked many observers. Images from the affected communities show a community submerged above the floodwaters, while roads have become impassable and entire sections of the town remain submerged.
As flood victims struggle to rebuild their lives, many are calling for urgent intervention from government and stakeholders to address the environmental destruction blamed for the recurring disasters.
For now, however, the people of Samreboi are left counting their losses and hoping that help arrives before another rainfall compounds their suffering.
