The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has issued a stern warning of potential widespread flooding as the rainy season nears. Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, the acting CEO of the EPA, emphasized the need to halt the encroachment on wetlands to mitigate the anticipated impacts of severe flooding.

Prof. Klutse’s warning follows a series of intense weather events, including heavy rainfall and a storm on March 26, which triggered flooding in parts of the Greater Accra Region. The storm caused significant damage, including fallen trees, collapsed billboards, and vehicles rendered inoperable.

Speaking at the University of Ghana on March 27 after her inaugural lecture, Klutse stressed the urgency of addressing environmental vulnerabilities ahead of the upcoming wet season. “We are going to face widespread flooding this year,” she said. “Just two days ago, we experienced a heavy downpour that lasted only a short period, but it was severe and stormy. These extreme weather events will become more frequent, and we must be prepared.”

A key point of Madam Klutse’s message was the need to curtail construction activities on Ramsar sites—wetlands designated for conservation. “When we build on waterways, we exacerbate the flooding risks,” she said. “No matter how heavy the rain, water must be able to flow freely into wetlands and designated water storage areas.”

The EPA’s warning comes as the country braces for more unpredictable weather patterns, with experts urging authorities and the public to bolster preparedness for the coming months.

Source:TheDotNews