By Mabinty M. Kamara and Nasratu Kargbo
As part of its seasonal rainfall outlook for this year’s rainy season officials of the Sierra Leone Metrological Agency has warned of possible flooding in Sierra Leone’s capital Freetown.
Presenting the forecast to newsmen at a press briefing held on the 18th May 2021, the Deputy Director of the Sierra Leone Metrological Agency Gabriel Parker said the operations of the agency including the rainfall seasonal outlook is guided by the World Metrological Organization.
The flooding according to Parker will affect the usual high areas prone to flooding in Freetown.
He added that the other parts of the country will experience more rain but because of their planning methods over the years, they are less likely to experience flooding compared to Freetown but cautioned they are at high risk of thunder storm and lightning.
However, he said Sierra Leone will record a deficit of rainfall this year equivalent to below average over the entire period with respect to the 1981-2010 baseline period during which the western area recorded 51838.8, Eastern Region 20064, Northern Region 7244.8 and Southern region 43407.4. He added that the rainfall level for this year will be closer to that which was recorded during the last rainy season.
“Dry spells are when we have rain for example in March and we do not get rain for two weeks. But at the end of the period that is September, October, November we are going to get average to longer dry spell, ” he said, adding that dry spell allows mosquitoes to breed in the environment.
He noted that there is going to be strong rains in September and would be expecting clouds in October.
“A torrential rain will likely happen and flooding will be prevalent because of the land use and the way houses are built,” he said.
There have already been reports of flooding in some parts of Freetown and disaster as a result of heavy storm in some parts of the provinces.
To mitigate these issues highlighted, the agency presented a number of recommendations which include the avoidance of residing in flood prone areas particularly in the urban parts, taking steps to advance safety of people and maintenance of the infrastructures installed in flood prone areas. Strengthen the monitoring and intervention capacities of agencies in-charge of flood monitoring and disaster risk reduction, diversifying agricultural practices and support Ministries Department and Agencies in pest control were among the recommendations as well.
Sierra Leone over the years has experienced series of flash floods leading to the destruction of lives and properties especially in the capital Freetown with mostly unplanned and unregulated housing and garbage disposal systems. The areas most susceptible to such disasters have been the slum communities around the sea such as Susan’s Bay, Kroo bay, Moa Wharf, Portee Wharf in eastern Freetown and Lumley.
Copyright © 2021 Politico Online
