In collaboration to protect communities and reduce the impact of floods this year’s rainy season, Sierra Leone’s National Disaster Management Agency has partnered with the UNDP to share essential flood prevention and mitigation strategies.
It is crucial to take proactive steps to prevent floods and ensure preparedness. From clearing drains to developing emergency plans, every small action can have significant impact.
Stormy weather hit the city of Freetown from 9 to 10 May, 2023. Flash flooding swept through city streets, washing away cars and damaging buildings. Six people died and 2 were injured when a wall collapsed due to flooding in Cline Town. Another fatality was reported after a mudslide in the Moyeiba area of the city.
The National Disaster Management Agency also reported flood damage to the Leone Oil Facility in Kissy.
Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr said: “The disasters that continue to destroy lives and properties are mostly the direct result of no land use planning, no building permits and extensive deforestation. I will continue to advocate for the devolution of land use planning, building regulations, and building permits to all local Councils so that construction, especially in hillside communities is better regulated. This will prevent the indiscriminate deforestation and erosion that fills our gutters and waterways with silt every year, causing flooding”.
On 14th August, 2017, a mudslide on the outskirts Freetown left more than 300 people dead. The areas experienced 3 days of heavy rain, which has also resulted in severe flooding in low-lying areas of Freetown.
The mudslide occurred on Mount Sugar Loaf, in the mountainous town of Regent, Western Area Rural District, a few kilometres from Freetown.
