As part of Freetown City Council (FCC)’s efforts to keep residents safe from flooding, the council has started the second phase of its flood mitigation exercise with major dredging of waterways in three flood prone communities in Freetown.
Heavy rains over the past two weeks have resulted in many residents being temporarily flooded out of their homes in communities that live in lowlands, floodplains and along river banks/waterways.
FCC, with support from the European Union, and other partners including CRS, has been responding to the situation by dredging major waterways in three high-risk communities – Kroo Bay, Juba-Kaningo, and Culvert (at the back of the Granville Brook, Kissy dumpsite).
The dredging exercise, which involves removing silt and garbage from the bottom of the waterways, will allow water to flow better downstream and reduce flooding risk as the city experienced intense rains.
Phase two of the flood mitigation exercise will be implemented in partnership with Caritas and the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces – RSLAF.
Besides that major piece of work, FCC is keen on community-led interventions to tackle flooding.
Through funding from the Government of Japan, FCC is also working with community youth volunteers to clear waterways, drainages and culverts to prevent flooding in communities with recurrent flooding problems, particularly in the East of Freetown.
These communities include: Blackhall Road-Benz Garage, Lower Melon Street, Bottom Oku, Congo Water Wellington Old Road, Caulker Street.
FCC continues to encourage residents to stop building along waterways and in flood prone areas as flooding in such areas is inevitable.
