Mr. Gaisie explained that the low-lying nature of Adabraka Sahara made it prone to receiving debris and waste from upstream communities.

He called for collaboration between neighbouring municipalities to address the underlying causes of blocked drains and poor water flow.

Mr. Hendrick Noble Kinnah, Municipal Coordinator, National Disaster Management Organsation (NADMO), said assessments began on Sunday night and continued into Monday to determine the extent of the damage.

“We started the assessment of the areas last night and everything is fine except the Adabraka Sahara area, which is close to the Odaw River, that gets full and spills over during heavy rains,” he said.

Mr. Kinnah identified the ageing earth drain and overflow of the Odaw River as the main causes of flooding. He stressed the need for increased drainage capacity and regular maintenance.

“This earth drain has been here for a very long time. This time, we cannot keep saying sorry, we must fix it and dredge the Odaw to be free from such problems,” he said.

Mr. Kinnah noted that initial findings showed most of the debris came from upstream areas, and a report has been compiled and submitted for action. He estimated that about 3,000 households were affected. Mr. Kinnah also highlighted the need for a technical assessment to determine whether structures by squatters contribute to the flooding.

“In fact, I was born and bred here. We have seen this flood situation year after year. It is up to us to ensure the proper engineering work is done first, then we can determine whether the squatters are part of the problem or not,” he said.

He assured that debris removal would begin immediately, while plans for a long-term solution were being finalised for implementation in early 2026.

Meanwhile, residents have called for a change in public behaviour regarding waste management, stressing that without collective responsibility, drainage projects will continue to fail.