Hundreds displaced after powerful storm wreaks havoc in Bimbilla

Residents of Bimbilla in the Nanumba North Municipality of the Northern Region are assessing the damage and grappling with the aftermath of a fierce rainstorm that tore through the town on Tuesday evening.

The torrential rainfall, coupled with strong and destructive winds, wreaked havoc on numerous homes and businesses across several communities in the area.

Initial assessments by local authorities and community leaders indicate that more than 1,000 houses were either partially damaged or completely destroyed, displacing hundreds of families overnight. Roofs were blown off buildings, some structures gave way under the intensity of the storm, and household belongings were drenched or washed away.

Many of the affected residents have sought shelter with relatives and friends, while others have taken refuge in churches, schools, and other public facilities as they await support.

“I was in the room with my children when everything came down. Rain started pouring into the room, so I moved the kids to my younger brother’s room to spend the night. I need help to rebuild,” one resident recounted.

Another resident, Muniru, said they were forced to sleep elsewhere after their home was destroyed. “We couldn’t stay in the room, so we went to sleep at a friend’s place. We were at work when it happened and returned to find everything flooded. Now we are thinking about how to rebuild because the rainstorm destroyed everything,” he said.

The storm in Bimbilla was part of a larger weather system that affected several parts of Ghana on Tuesday evening, February 10, with other communities also reporting heavy rains and strong winds. However, the damage appeared particularly severe in parts of the Northern Region.