The situation, which the Regional Minister, Dr. Kwesi Apea-Kubi, blamed on the massive deforestation and siltation as a result of illegal mining, commonly called "galamsey", has according to him, led to an overflow of the banks of the Birim River in some communities of the Kwahu West, Fanteakwa, Atiwa, Birim Central, Kwaebibrim and West Akim Districts in the Region.