By Jamesetta D Williams
Flooding is imminent, according to the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), warning that the country is likely to experience increased flooding in the coming weeks as heavy rainfall continues during the peak of the country’s rainy season, urging residents in flood-prone communities to remain vigilant and adhere to safety measures.
Speaking during a press briefing in Monrovia on Tuesday, NDMA Executive Director Hon. Atty. Ansu V. S. Dulleh, Sr. said the Agency has been closely monitoring flooding affecting several communities in and around Monrovia following recent heavy downpours that overwhelmed drainage systems.
According to the NDMA, preliminary field assessments and drone surveys indicate that several thousand residents across Montserrado County have been affected either directly or indirectly by the floods, although the Agency noted that verification of the assessment is still ongoing.
The Agency reported that women, children, older persons, and people living with disabilities are among the most vulnerable populations impacted by the flooding. It added that the disaster has resulted in damage to homes and household property, temporary displacement of families, contamination of water sources, disruption of transportation and economic activities, increased risk of water-borne diseases, and damage to community infrastructure.
The NDMA further disclosed that weather forecasts from the Liberia Meteorological Service indicate that heavy rainfall is expected to persist over the coming weeks, increasing the likelihood of additional flooding in low-lying coastal communities, wetlands, riverside settlements, and areas with poor drainage systems.
In response to the situation, the Agency announced that it has activated its national flood preparedness and emergency response plan. Measures already underway include continuous risk monitoring and field assessments, emergency coordination with county and district disaster management committees, public awareness campaigns on flood safety, pre-positioning of emergency relief supplies, identification of temporary shelters for displaced families, and collaboration with emergency responders to provide life-saving assistance where necessary.
The NDMA said it is working closely with several government institutions, including the Ministry of Local Government, the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Health, the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation, the Liberia National Fire Service, the Armed Forces of Liberia, the Liberia National Police, and the Liberia National Red Cross, to ensure a coordinated national response.
The Agency also acknowledged the support of development and humanitarian partners, including the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and other organizations involved in disaster risk reduction efforts across Liberia.
Looking beyond the immediate emergency, the NDMA emphasized that its long-term recovery and disaster risk reduction strategy will focus on strengthening community resilience, improving drainage and flood-control infrastructure, promoting risk-informed land-use planning, supporting affected households to restore their livelihoods, enhancing community-based disaster management, and expanding early warning systems.
During a question-and-answer session with journalists following the press briefing, Executive Director Dulleh thanked members of the media for their questions and expressed hope that the briefing had adequately addressed their concerns. He assured the public that the NDMA would soon begin delivering relief assistance to affected communities as assessments are completed.
He explained that the distribution of relief items will be guided by verified data collected through ongoing field assessments to ensure that assistance reaches those most affected, particularly vulnerable groups such as women, children, older persons, and persons with disabilities.
The Executive Director further emphasized that the Government of Liberia has adequate relief supplies available and remains committed to fulfilling its responsibility to citizens affected by the flooding. He said relief distribution will commence once assessment data has been finalized and analyzed to guarantee a fair, coordinated, and needs-based response.
The NDMA reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and livelihoods while continuing to monitor the evolving flood situation and provide regular updates as more information becomes available.
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