Heavy and consistent rains in the Upper East region have flooded cemeteries in the area.
According to reports, several caskets were lifted out of the ground and headstones displaced due to torrential rainstorm in the area.
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Upper East Regional National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) Director, Jeremy Asamani, revealed this on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem, Thursday.
At least 28 people have been confirmed dead and several others injured in the flood. Thousands are also displaced with NADMO struggling to provide relief items.
The fear now is an outbreak of an epidemic following flooding at graveyards in the region.
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Mr Asamani explained that, the cemeteries were underwater, majority of which had opened exposing the coffins inside.
The water from the cemeteries, he said, is flowing into nearby boreholes and wells which are the only sources of water for residents.
The NADMO Director said the sources of water in towns in Upper East have been contaminated.
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He called on health officials in the region to intensify education to ensure no one drinks the contaminated water.
The Upper East Regional Health Director, Dr Winfred Ofosu, said they have started sensitisation campaign on personal hygiene.
He said it is likely the water sources in the area would be contaminated due to their proximity to graveyards.
Dr Ofosu urged residents to boil their water from any source before use.
Source: Ghana|Adomonline.com|Adwoa Gyasiwaa Agyeman
