Former Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Idriss, says flooding in the region must be regarded as a national issue rather than a regional crisis. Latest reports from the region indicate floods have destroyed farms along riverbanks at Kpalugu and other areas following Sunday’s opening of the Bagre Dam in Burkina Faso. Thousands of human lives are in danger, correspondents say. Speaking to Joy News on Monday, the former Works and Housing Minister, who once proposed excess water could be redirected to other parts of the country in need of water, said action must be taken now to forestall future flooding in the area. Whilst officials warn Rainfall in Burkina Faso this year could be worse than in previous years, some residents of the Upper West Region are reportedly reluctant to vacate their residences despite several warnings from authorities. On this, Alhaji Idriss proposed “an all-year-round” sensitisation programme to make residents aware of the danger posed by the dam. The former minister also played down suggestions that he failed to address the problem when he was regional minister, saying, the issue must not be politicized. Joy News’ Kobby Graham reported that similar floods in 2007, entire villages and communities were totally wiped off, leaving 400,000 people homeless and at least 20 people dead. While officials try to fight the flow of water, Acting Deputy Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organization, Diana Boakye, says the nation has been caught unaware by the sheer extent of water. NADMO officials are now warning residents in low-lying areas to evacuate or face possible death, but some residents are already refusing to leave their livelihoods behind. Story by Fiifi Koomson/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana