Kusali, a farming community in the Sissala West District of the Upper West Region, witnessed an unfortunate natural disaster of a heavy rainstorm on Sunday, 23th April, 2023 between the hours of 5:00pm and 6:00pm.
A native of the community, Mr Iddrisu Mustapha informed dmediagh.com about the unfortunate incident on Sunday at 6:59pm, and appealed to the media to reach out to the scene in order to come ascertain the damages and cover the news.
The District Chief Executive of the Sisaala West District Hon. Ayisha Batong Hor, the District Director for National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), Mr Halidu Yahaya and some staff of the Sisaala West District Assembly visited the community in the early hours of the following day, 24th April, 2023 to sympathize with the affected individuals and families and to also assess the extent of damage caused by the storm.
In an interview with the District NADMO Director Mr. Halidu Yahaya, confirmed the information through an interview with Gwollu FM 91.7mhz. He disclosed that as at the time of the interview, his outfit recorded a total of five hundred and eighty-four (584) persons who were completely displaced. The affected persons according to him, comprises of one hundred and forty-seven (147) men, one hundred and twenty-six (126) women, one hundred and fifty-seven (157) male children, and one hundred and fifty-four (154) female children. He further disclosed that a total of one hundred and fifteen (115) rooms in the community were completely ripped off.
Mr Alidu Yahaya described the situation as a natural disaster. He said “Considering the level and direction of the storm, one would be surprised a full compound with a big mango tree was totally ripped off, so you can’t even say it is due to absence of trees in the area,”.
He however thanked God that there were no casualties except for a pedestrian who stopped in the veranda of a shop close to the road, who had minor cuts because he tried to block a piece of zinc which was flying directly towards him and he saved his life with his hands. He was immediately sent to a health facility at Bullu, his home town where he was treated and discharged on the same day.
Mr Fuseini Abudu Gbene, a victim of the disaster, recounted how the whole situation happened as follows: “I was home with my wife and little daughter when the storm started, moving from West to Eats. In just some few minutes, the whole situation suddenly changed and the storm became very heavy with droplets of rain. I must say that all structures with their doors and corridors or windows facing the West, tasted the destruction and in fact, were the severely affected ones,”. He was safe with the family and appreciated all and sundry for their support both internal and external since the news broke.
Another victim who only identified himself as “Castro” confirming to Gwollu FM evening show monitored by dmediagh.com, revealed that he has been severely affected by the rainstorm at the time he is financially constraint. He had to seek refuge at a friend’s place till he gets his place fixed.” As I speak to you now, I don’t even know when I will move back to my house because I am currently broke and it is the farming season too. We have to plough but I have nothing,” he bemoaned.
The Assembly man for Kusali Electoral Area, Hon. Ali Tahiru described the incident as the first of its’ kind the community has recorded. “we have been experiencing rainstorms but not to this level. In fact, almost every family in my community is in one way or the other affected. Most especially, all the structures along the path of the storm were severely affected”. He further said that, had it not been the cordial and accommodating nature in which the Sisaala people live, by now you would have seen people moving with their belongings to neighbouring communities to seek refuge as a result of the disaster. But the displaced persons have all been accepted by friends, family members and colleagues for the mean time till they get their places fixed”.
The Assembly man was also full of praises to God for his mercies that resulted to minimal casualties. He also informed dmediagh.com that apart from the man from Bullu, a woman also had her forehead hit by a broken wood which led to a minor swell on her forehead. He however indicated that her situation was stabilized few hours after massaging the affected place.
Hon.Tahiru Ali appealed to all family members, relatives in other communities, individuals, philanthropists’ and NGOs to come to the aid of the affected persons in this difficult times to get the damaged structures fixed on time, since we are in the rainy season.
The Assembly man also thanked all the carpenters in the Kusali and surrounding communities including the district capital, Gwollu, dealers of building materials who gave some of the victims, materials such as roofing sheets, boards nails etc on credit and all well-wishers for their support since the news broke.
Further reports gathered by Gwollu FM 91.7mhz, the only local community radio in the district indicates at the time of filling this report that the Sissala West District Assembly and NADMO are still seeking support for the 584 affected persons since they could not offer immediate support due to unavailability of relief items.
Story by Babia Mubaric [Mystic]
