By Kadiatu A. Turay

In Freetown, Sierra Leone’s bustling capital, the rainy season unleashes more than just water it brings destruction, disease, and despair. From flooded homes and ruined infrastructure to lost livelihoods and lives, the consequences of inadequate drainage systems are profound, not only in Freetown but across Sierra Leone’s urban centers, despite the recurring devastation, systemic change remains elusive, leaving communities trapped in a cycle of vulnerability.

Freetown’s unique topography steep hills descending toward the Atlantic Ocean makes it inherently susceptible to flooding. However, outdated and insufficient infrastructure exacerbates the problem, particularly as climate change intensifies rainfall patterns. Narrow, clogged, or nonexistent drainage channels turn even moderate rains into disasters in low-lying areas like Kroo Bay, Dwarzark, Congo Town, and Culvert.

We live in constant fear during the rainy season, shares Fatmata Kamara, a petty trader in Kroo Bay. Water invades our homes, destroys our belongings, and sometimes takes lives. It’s heartbreaking, and it feels like no one is listening.

The 2017 mudslide, which claimed over 1,000 lives, was a tragic reminder of the lethal consequences of poor drainage, compounded by deforestation and haphazard urban planning, yet, years later, meaningful reforms remain limited.

The impact of poor drainage extends far beyond flooded streets. Entire communities face cascading consequences, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation reports a 40% surge in waterborne diseases like cholera and typhoid during peak rainy months, straining healthcare systems and increasing mortality rates.

Flooded schools force temporary closures, depriving children of education and exacerbating learning gaps, markets grind to a halt as traders lose inventory to floodwaters, while damaged infrastructure disrupts commerce and mobility.

Floods don’t discriminate rich or poor, they affect everyone when the system fails, says Dr. Alhaji Sesay, a Freetown-based public health expert, But the poorest suffer most, as they lack the resources to relocate or recover.

A key driver of flooding is poor waste management. With limited municipal garbage collection, residents often dispose of waste in gutters and waterways, clogging drainage systems and triggering flash floods, we clean our drain weekly, but trash from uphill keeps blocking it, says Ibrahim Conteh, a youth leader in Susan’s Bay, this isn’t a problem we can solve alone.

Environmental advocates warn that neglecting drainage infrastructure threatens urban development and public safety, yet, responsibility remains fragmented, with government agencies and local councils often blaming each other for inaction.

City officials cite inherited challenges and resource constraints, we’re dealing with a city built on systemic issues, explains Mariama Thompson, an engineer with the Freetown City Council, effective drainage requires funding, skilled personnel, and inter-agency coordination none of which can be fixed overnight.

Residents, however, express frustration over mismanaged funds and unfulfilled promises, we hear about millions allocated for flood mitigation, but where’s the impact asks Augustine Kallon, a community activist. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Lands and housing faces criticism for issuing building permits in flood-prone zones, Stricter enforcement is critical, argues geologist John Bangura, Building over waterways guarantees flooding.

Despite the challenges, progress is possible. In 2023, the Clean Drain, Clean City initiative mobilized over 5,000 youths to desilt gutters and promote proper waste disposal across Freetown, demonstrating the power of community action, with political will and citizen engagement, we can make a difference, says Aminata Sesay, project coordinator at Green Freetown. “But we need scale and sustainability.

Experts propose a multi-faceted approach, Develop underground drainage channels and eco-friendly designs to manage runoff effectively, enforce regulations to prevent construction on floodplains and waterways.

Expand garbage collection services and launch public education campaigns to reduce improper disposal, implement regular desilting and maintenance schedules for drains, enforce environmental laws to hold violators accountable.

International support is also growing, the World Bank’s $40 million urban infrastructure project, announced in 2024, aims to upgrade Freetown’s drainage systems. However, implementation delays mean residents continue to face immediate risks.

While Freetown garners attention, other Sierra Leonean cities like Bo, Kenema, and Makeni grapple with similar issues. In Bo’s New London neighborhood, residents recently protested prolonged flooding that isolated communities and disrupted livelihoods, this isn’t just Freetown’s problem, says Mohamed Fornah, a Bo resident. When it rains, we’re cut off from main roads, schools, and markets. It’s crippling.

Poor drainage is more than a technical issue it’s a political, social, and human rights crisis. Safe, resilient cities are a fundamental right for Sierra Leoneans. Addressing this challenge demands urgent collaboration among government, communities, development partners, and the private sector. Drainage infrastructure must become a national priority, backed by sustained investment and accountability.

Until then, each rainy season will erode more than just soil it will wash away hope, opportunity, and lives. As Adama Kamara, a 67-year-old Kroo Bay resident, poignantly states, water is life, but when it has nowhere to go, it becomes death.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Friday,25th July, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)