AYV News, May 6, 2026
A short but intense rainfall lasting less than three hours in the early hours of yesterday, May 5, 2026, has exposed widespread waste accumulation in drainage systems across parts of Freetown.
The runoff water reportedly dislodged large volumes of refuse from blocked drains, spreading filth onto several major roads including Bai Bureh Road in Portee, Wilkinson Road, Brookfields, and other surrounding areas of the city.
The situation left sections of the capital temporarily affected, with waste deposited along streets and disrupting normal movement in some communities.
The incident has sparked renewed public debate on urban sanitation management. While some residents have blamed the condition on what they describe as inefficiencies in waste collection and drainage maintenance by the Freetown City Council, others argue that indiscriminate dumping of waste into drainage channels by citizens remains a major contributing factor.
As the rainy season approaches, concerns are growing over the need for improved drainage maintenance, stronger enforcement of sanitation by-laws, and increased public awareness on proper waste disposal practices to prevent recurring urban flooding and environmental health risks.
