By Forum staff writer
Heavy rains have caused widespread flooding across several parts of Guinea, damaging homes, disrupting transportation and forcing families to leave their residences as emergency authorities step up response efforts.
The rains intensified on Friday, September 18, affecting communities across Greater Conakry, Manéah and Coyah. Floodwaters have entered residential areas, damaged properties and made movement difficult along several major roads.
Guinea’s National Meteorological Agency had earlier warned of a high risk of flooding in Conakry, Coyah, Kindia, Dubréka, Forécariah and Boffa as heavy rainfall continued across the coastal region.
Coyah has been among the worst affected areas, with several communities reporting flooded and damaged houses. At least one person has died while several others were injured, according to a preliminary situation report from the National Agency for Humanitarian Disaster Management, known by its French acronym ANGUCH.
The flooding has also displaced a number of families. Authorities have opened the Maison des Jeunes in Coyah as a temporary shelter for residents whose homes have been affected or rendered unsafe.
Several communities in Coyah and nearby Manéah have reported serious flooding, including Laminayah, Kalema, Foulawaya, Tougandé and Bananeraie. Floodwaters have covered roads and entered homes, leaving some routes difficult or impossible to use.
In Conakry, sections of major roads have also been affected. Parts of the Fidel Castro highway have experienced flooding, while communities including Sonfonia Lac and Hamdalaye Commandaya have reported rising water levels.
The situation has slowed traffic and created dangerous conditions for motorists and pedestrians, particularly in areas where roads have been covered by floodwater.
Critical infrastructure has also been affected. In Coyah, the old Sambayah bridge reportedly collapsed under the pressure of the floodwaters, further complicating transportation and access between affected communities.
Humanitarian authorities and local officials are continuing evacuation, damage assessments and relief operations. Emergency teams are also paying particular attention to vulnerable residents and families whose homes have been severely damaged.
Preliminary assessments indicate that hundreds of people have been affected, although authorities say the full extent of the damage and displacement is still being assessed.
The latest flooding has renewed concerns about the vulnerability of communities around Greater Conakry and surrounding areas to heavy rainfall, particularly in places where drainage systems, bridges and roads are under pressure.
Authorities have urged residents in flood prone communities to remain vigilant, avoid crossing fast moving floodwaters and follow safety instructions as emergency teams continue monitoring affected areas.
