A catastrophic tidal wave disaster has struck the community of Agavedzi, leaving its residents in a state of shock and trauma. According to Ebenezer Assah, the Assembly Member for the Agavedzi Electoral Area, at least 51 houses have been demolished, and over 300 individuals have been forced out of their homes.
In an interview on JoyNews’ The Probe on Sunday, March 2, Assah painted a bleak picture of the situation, revealing that even the community cemetery has not been spared from the devastation. “About 51 houses have been reduced to rubble, with more than 300 people displaced. The raging sea has engulfed around 63 tombs, and the remaining bodies have been relocated to other cemeteries,” he lamented.
Assah expressed grave concerns about the future of Agavedzi if the sea defense project is not resumed promptly. He emphasized that without adequate protection, more cemeteries and properties are at risk of being lost to the relentless waves.
Furthermore, the community now heavily relies on the main road connecting Aflao and Anloga for survival, highlighting their vulnerability in the face of such natural disasters. “If urgent measures are not taken to halt the destructive force of the tidal waves, our only lifeline – the major road – could also be swept away,” Assah warned.
The dire situation in Agavedzi has prompted calls for government intervention from both Assah and the Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu. Gunu has declared a ‘state of emergency’ in response to the widespread devastation caused by coastal erosion in southern Volta.
The relentless onslaught of the sea, fueled by high tides, has relentlessly eroded communities along the coast of the Ketu South Municipality over the past week. Gunu has labeled this phenomenon as a severe threat to national security and has urged for immediate emergency measures to mitigate the destruction and safeguard the well-being of the affected residents.
In conclusion, the plight of Agavedzi serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of coastal communities in the face of natural disasters. Urgent action is needed to prevent further destruction and displacement, and it is imperative that the government and relevant authorities step in to address this pressing issue before it escalates further.
