By Nasratu Kargbo
The Deputy Director General at the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) John V. Rogers has told Politico that the heavy downpour of rain has affected farms in the provinces, raising fears of food scarcity.
Rogers on the 13th September 2022 stated that large farm lands have been affected in areas such as Bonthe, Pujehun and Moyamba, explaining that the rain has settled on farmlands which will be detrimental to the crops. “The water is still there, I am anticipating there will be food security challenge in those areas, and this can be a challenge for the population” said the Deputy Director.
He noted that the sea level is increasing and that those villages and settlements by the seafront have been greatly affected. Rogers added that the rains have affected the livelihood of people in those areas, explaining that aside from farming, there are also others whose source of income is fishing.
Speaking on the effect of rains in Freetown, Rogers explained that it is the climatic hazards that translate to disaster, emphasizing that it has been extreme for the past years, highlighting cases of flooding, landslide, rock falls, and flashfloods that have caused displacement.
Rogers explained that some months ago they had an engagement with the Sierra Leone Metrological Agency on the forecast, and that the agency had told them that the nation is to expecting heavy rains in especially August and September.
Speaking on what is to be expected, he mentioned the Met’s forecast of sustained rain for Freetown until September and other areas along the Atlantic sea such as Bonthe, Moyamba and Pujehun which will continue to experience late rain.
The Senior Disaster Officer South at NDMA David Fortune explained that they have dispatched over 30 officers to assess the effects of the rains.
He noted that certain houses collapsed because they were built with mud and could not withstand the power of the water.
Fortune explained that as a way of supporting the affected persons, the agency took with them 2,000 bags of rice, vegetable oil, used clothing and other supplies.
When asked of the figure of affected persons, the officer noted that they cannot give specific number because they are currently assessing the different areas.
According to the records provided by NDMA which on data of disasters that had occurred in different parts of the country from 2020 till August 31 2022, in the East 54 disasters had occurred. 12, 13 and 17 were recorded for the North, Northwest and South respectively. 35 disasters were recorded for the Western Area with 12 deaths.
A total of 131 disasters happened that included collapsed buildings, flashfloods, flooding, mudslide, landslide and windstorms.
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