By Adama Makasuba
A two-day record-break downpour has submerged houses and displaced a good number of families, individuals, and damaged properties.
The government has stepped up to set up an emergency response task force committee led by vice president Dr. Alieu Badara Joof who had toured different communities within the Greater Banjul Area to assess the extent of the damage.
Schools and community centers are now used to temporary shelter the disaster victims
Peter Mendy, councilor for Kololi ward said “the flooding has caused damages to areas here, especially Kotu, whose football field has been eroded, but we are working to ensure how we can stop the erosion so that youths can use the field to stop a future disaster.
Ansumana Bayo, Latrikunda Sabiji ward councilor also said: “I am reaching out to my people to find out any disaster problems and we are working with the regional coordinator for the National Disaster Management Agency. We are appealing on how we can work with the national road authority to clean up the dirt in the gutters to give way to the flooding waters when it rains.”
Aji Satou Seye, London Corner ward councilor said many families including her family didn’t sleep throughout the downpour, adding “the rain-affected those settling around at Faroo and many people lost their foodstuff and properties due to the floods.”
According to her, the cause of the flooding into homes is how the Bakoteh bridge is constructed, adding the bridge hole is too small.
“People are worried due to the flooding and it has submerged houses. The rain has seriously affected us. We rescued the children and even there was a house that fell and there is concern that a child’s hand broke.
“Many people lost their properties and we are making arrangements to shelter the victims and provide food for them. People are definitely suffering here and the damage is huge. The victims are too much but we are still doing our best to provide support to the flood victims,” Bilal Faal, councillor Nema Wellingara explained.