By Alie Turay
As rain continues to pour heavily this August, residents in slum communities especially along the coastal line of Freetown, were hit yesterday by high tides that saw the sea level rise above its normal status, resulting in the flooding of several homes and leaving hundreds of people homeless.
The cost of the unprecedented rise in the sea level along the coast has not been computed but affected people say it is likely to run in millions of Leones.
At Susan’s Bay (Sawpit) the Chairman for the community, Abu Lamin Turay explained to Awoko that most affected people were “rudely awoken from their sleep” at about 5:00 am, when the rain started. He said the flooding of houses on the bank of the sea was spontaneous and that people had to throw their properties out to dry areas amid chaos and absolute discordance.
He however stated that there were no deaths as a result of the ensuing commotion as children and the elderly were safely rescued to high and dry lands.
Mohamed Kamara alias Jango Stevens and Haja Sesay who have lived at Susan’s Bay for over thirteen years, spoke of shock when they found themselves in the middle of water and some of their properties floating around them.
Mohamed said he lost over Le 6, 000, 000 (six million Leones) worth of property, but thanked God for saving his life.
Haja noted that it is very difficult to live in a slum area, but because she is unemployed and a single mother, she cannot afford to pay rent in attractive areas of the city.
Mohamed and Haja, like many other people living on the coastline, live on self-claimed land done with filth and debris with some amount of concrete spread over it. It is on this dried plot that they build make-shift homes that they use as dwelling. Mohamed and Haja who live separately were in their respective homes when the sea tide rose.
At the Falcon Wharf, Yabom Kamara a food seller, narrating her experience said they were surprised to find the place where they usually prepare food overtaken by water when they woke up about 4.00am. She however stated that despite the situation they were able to do their work.
Mohamed Kamara, Chairman at Falcon Wharf disclosed that over twelve houses went destroyed by rain and subsequent flooding. He also disclosed that yesterday’s incident was not the first. He said the community has made several representations to the Disaster Department at the Office of National Security (ONS), the Freetown City Council and some NGOs such as Save the Children to assist them relocate to safer areas to avoid future disasters.
Hassan Koroma a boat owner at Tambacular Wharf at Aberdeen said 15 boats were destroyed in the high tide, while Mohamed Kamara, who said he has resided in the community for the past seven years, said it was the first time to witness such water disaster in the community.
Ibrahim Wurie the Acting Head of Safety at the Maritime Administration warned sea farers and those living along coastal slums to keep off and take the necessary precaution in order not to be caught up in the disaster which he said is natural.
