As we look forward to the end of the rainy season in the country, heavy rain falls is being a curse for concern during the past weeks. Residents of Dippakunda, Manjai and Ebotown were once again victims of the heavy rain fall due to the areas bad topography and landscape.

 Inhabitants from these areas continue to suffer from this natural disaster, some have their compounds flooded whiles others have their fences and houses collapsing. It has cause a lot of damage to the inhabitants.

 Speaking to this reporter, Modou Jallow of Dippakunda described the tragedy as a natural phenomenon which cannot be stop by any human being, he went on to say that this area of Dippakunda is not suitable for  habitation because the soil has high water holding capacity which is more suitable for the production of rice. On sounding people’s opinion on the year’s rain fall, a woman who identified herself as Fatoumatta Drammeh a vendor at the Serrekunda market, said this year’s rainfall is causing much havoc than good. She went on to say that, the area is very close to the Bakoteh dumpsite and a lot of diseases can be contracted from the stagnant water.

 A shopkeeper at Dippakunda chupe town said ‘’ the last two rains of 20 and 21 July, 2008, respectively causes a lot of damages to his shop, the wind was very strong, and  that  it took away  his corrugated roof which cost him a lot of money to repair ‘’ James Gomez  a taxi driver who normally transports people’s goods and from Westfield to Sukuta village said he started plying the road some five years ago ,but the rains this year are very heavy coupled with the poor  status of the road made  transportation very difficult.

Speaking to this reporter, a compound owner in a settlement near by called Manjai kunda also said the last two rains has caused a lot damage to his house which he built some five years back and most of his livestock have contracted diseases, they are dying gradually’’.The drainage in these areas is very poor, no passage for the water to pass through.

 A farmer at EbouTown described this year’s rainfall as excessive and plentiful which can endanger their production. Because the running water washes away the topmost part of the soil which is the most fertile part of the soil thereby causing erosion and depletion of soil nutrients and minerals? He said some people have started evacuating as water continues to flood their compounds causing loss of properties.

A metro logiest; predict that this years rainfall will be more than last years. Preventive measures should be taken into consideration by both government and the civilian population and come up with a possible solution to remedy the situation as quickly as it is possible, since some of these victims affected are low income earners with a large family to take care.  The communities are appealing to NGOs, government of the Gambia and philanthropist to come to their rescue through the National Disaster Relief Fund.