Freetown Weather Alert in Sierra Leone has issued an urgent warning to residents, especially those in the capital, that the country is experiencing over 50mm of precipitation per hour in Freetown.
This, the Alert warns, is a severe weather that poses significant risks.
The Alert warns: “For your safety, please avoid pre-drainages, waterway passageways, hillside areas and coastal regions. Refrain from travelling to unfamiliar locations throughout this week”.
The first 2 days of July have already witnessed heavy and continuous downpour, resulting to severe flood and loss of properties in some parts of the city.
Meanwhile, heavy rains in Freetown has led to the collapse of a slope in Devil Hole, Western Area Rural District, destroying six houses and leaving thirteen occupants homeless.
Sierra Leone’s National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) has underscored the dangers associated with clearing natural vegetation and trees on hillsides.
According to the agency, such actions increase the risk of erosion, landslides, and slope collapses, endangering nearby structures and lives.
The recent slope collapse resulted in the destruction of six houses, including four unfinished structures and two completed homes housing thirteen occupants. Fortunately, due to prompt evacuations and adherence to community elders’ advice, no casualties were reported.
The NDMA plans to collaborate with the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Country Planning to strengthen land-use regulations and prevent development on high-risk slopes. The agency will conduct risk assessments to identify areas prone to slope instability, implement early warning systems, and continue public awareness campaigns to educate communities on the dangers of building on hilltops and preventive measures.
