By: Ilyasa Baa
Due to the intensive sensitization and flood mitigation drive mounted by the government of Sierra Leone, residents of Makeni in the Bombali district have not experienced flooding, especially between July and August, this year.
It could be recalled that on 20th July 2015, fifty houses were destroyed by flash food in Makeni. On 11th July 2019, a similar flash flood hit some parts of the city, areas like Gabba Street, Magburaka Road and so on. The city is facing a dry spell; there is rain and sun and the council has been collaborating with government entities such as the Sierra Leone Metro Logical Agency and the National Disaster Management which have carried out effective medication measures to avert flash floods and their disastrous consequences.
However, the Sierra Leone Metrological Agency over the years has trained people in vulnerable communities to monitor the number of rainfalls and send their feedback for action by the two climate-related agencies.
The PRO of the Sierra Leone Metrological Agency, Success Serry Kamara informed this medium that no death or major incidence of flooding is reported to have taken place in Bombali since the start of the rainy season. He called for attitudinal and behavioural change, warning people to avoid throwing rubbish into gutters or drainages. “The Agency has released its 2022 Sessional Forecast which emphasizes the need for awareness on the prevention of floodings.
The Energy, Environment and Natural Resource Management Cluster project UNDP supported works in vulnerable communities to reduce the impacts of climate change and risks of natural and man-made disasters in Sierra Leone by reinforcing and supporting institutions and communities to properly prevent or manage natural disasters. Makeni is amongst the eight places that benefited from this installation project.
Sierra Leone has been very prone to disastrous weather conditions, as there has been very limited weather monitoring systems in place to record the effects of changing climates. This has led to the destruction of lives and properties. Presently Sierra Leone rates among the three countries most prone to flooding for instance; in July 2021 Freetown experienced a flash flood that had deadly consequences. Sierra Leoneans, as well as the International Community, will hardly forget the destruction of the Matormeh mudslide in August 2017.
