The President, John Evans Atta Mills, has charged the Accra Metropolitan Assembly to be firm on the demolition of unauthorised buildings and structures on watercourse. The exercise is expected to decongest the waterways to ensure free flow of rain water and to avoid floods in future. President Mills has been touring some parts of the capital, Accra on Wednesday, that were heavily affected by the persistent flooding in the city to assess the extent of damage. The inspection took him to First Light near Kaneshie, Sakaman, Chaba and other surrounding areas. Joy News' Stephen Anti accompanying the president described the flooding situation at places visited as "intense." He said some of the houses have been submerged by the floods and several properties of residents are found floating on water. In a related development, the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) has sent a rescue team to some flooded areas like Teshie, Lashibi and Airport residential area in response to several distress calls from affected residents. Winfred Tetteh, Greater Accra Regional NADMO Coordinator, told Joy News that NADMO officials are visiting these areas with pump machines and rescue ropes. Roads that have been blocked by fallen tress and other objects at Alajo and Ridge, are being cleared to make way for commuters. The situation in Accra is not different from communities in other regions. Places like Mankessim, Mfantsipim Municipal area, parts of Cape Coast and Dunkwa-on-Offin, all in the Central Region, as well as residents in Tarkwa in the Western Region are also experiencing the same situation. The intermittent rains which started in June have destroyed millions worth of properties and claimed some lives. Story Isaac Essel/Myjoyonline.com