Makeni flooding disrupts roads and businesses in Sierra Leone

Heavy rainfall on Tuesday evening, September 1, 2026, caused serious flash flooding in Makeni, Sierra Leone. The deluge overwhelmed the city’s infrastructure, submerging major thoroughfares including Lunsar Road, Yikes Area, Agriculture Road, Frontier Road, and Azzolini Highway.

The flooding disrupted travel for motorists and pedestrians and caused significant economic damage. Local shop owners and traders reported substantial losses as rising waters destroyed stock and damaged businesses. This event follows a similar flash flood on August 14, 2026, which also destroyed homes and blocked major roads.

Residents and observers have pointed to inadequate or blocked drainage systems as a primary factor worsening the impact. Experts from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) attribute the increasing pattern of extreme weather in the region to climate change and urban growth.