By Kebba Ansu Manneh
Sanna Dahaba, Executive Director of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) has confirmed the demised of two (2) minors as a result of downpours and flash floods experienced in most parts of the country over the weekend. He noted that the magnitude of the entire disaster cannot be ascertained at the moment as NDMA officials are embarking on a thorough assessment of the areas affected by the weekend’s heavy rain.
According to him, Brikama Jambarr Sanneh, Bundung, London Corner, Bakoteh, Manjai, Ebo Town, Jeshwang, Talinding, and Abuko have been adversely affected by the disaster, adding that the heavy rain has left many families homeless, lost household valuables, foodstuffs, and clothing in the affected places.
The NDMA Executive Director continued to reveal that preliminary assessment has revealed the death of two minors, Njagga Seck – 13 years old, and Assan Lowe – 10 years old boy at Pasimut Village in Sabach Sanjal District, the two teens met their untimely death on Sunday afternoon when windstorm struck while herding their animals at the outskirts of their village.
Mr Dahaba whose compound is not spared from the weekend’s disaster empathized with victims throughout the country during this difficult moment, noting that NDMA officials have been working round the clock to make a thorough assessment of all victims affected by the downpour that has been characterised by windstorm and flash floods throughout the country.
Honourable Musa Cham, Sitting National Assembly Member (NAM) for Serrakunda Constituency caught up with our reporter while assessing the flash floods affected areas in Bundung and London Corner.
He called for urgent intervention from the government, and local and International NGOs to come to the aid of many families who had left their respective homes as a result of the floods. He said many families need immediate help as they lost foodstuffs and household valuables among others.
He called on the Government of The Gambia to forge collaboration with partners to address this perennial crisis that has been traumatizing many families living in his constituency.
Karamo Ceesay, Councillor of Tallinding South described the downpour as a very unfortunate natural disaster that has caused havoc to many families throughout his Ward and beyond.
Among other things, he said foodstuffs, clothes, furniture, and school materials among other household materials have been damaged by the rain which fell over the weekend across the country.
He revealed that Councillor and NDMA officials are on their toes visiting hotspots within the Kanifing Municipality to make a thorough assessment of the disasters, adding that all efforts will be done to secure intervention for the many families affected by the flash floods within the municipality.
