Heavy rainfall in certain regions of Guinea has caused significant damage to the road network, particularly in the Faranah region. The strategic axis linking Lansanaya to Gagnakaly has been severely impacted, causing major disruptions to traffic. The situation has left users and residents in a state of despair. The bridge between the two localities, which is the only practicable route in the area, has been completely inundated by floodwaters.
The mayor of the rural commune of Lansanaya, Oury Batouly Barry, has sounded the alarm and is calling for urgent intervention from the central authorities. He stated that the floodwaters have invaded the bridge between the two localities, making the crossing extremely difficult. This passage is the only practicable route linking Lansanaya to Gagnakaly, and its submersion has exacerbated the isolation of the commune.
The submersion of the bridge is part of a broader context of isolation for the commune. A first infrastructure, located about 25 kilometers after the Bowal Norodji bridge, was already impassable due to flooding. The submersion of the second bridge, linking Lansanaya to Gagnakaly, has completed the blockade of the area. Although the water level has started to recede after nearly three days of immersion, the crossing remains extremely perilous.
To mitigate the lack of infrastructure and assist stranded users, local youths have mobilized. Wading through waist-deep water, they manually transport two-wheeled vehicles by fixing wooden pieces to the wheels. This improvised emergency service is charged at around 30,000 Guinean francs per motorcycle but poses risks to the safety of people and goods.
The situation poses a direct threat to the daily lives of residents, with prolonged disruption of traffic risking to paralyze the supply of essential goods to the affected localities and stifle local commerce. The communal executive is appealing to the central government for rapid intervention to secure the passage and find a durable solution to these recurrent difficulties related to road infrastructure and heavy rainfall.
The mayor of Lansanaya is urging the government to take immediate action to address the situation. He emphasized that the rehabilitation of bridges and the definitive development of this axis are essential to guarantee the free movement of populations. If the public works services do not react quickly, the communes of Lansanaya and Gagnakaly risk prolonged isolation with each subsequent rainstorm.
The local population is organizing in response to the crisis, with residents and users seeking alternative solutions to access essential services and goods. The situation highlights the need for sustainable infrastructure development and effective disaster management strategies to mitigate the impact of flooding on local communities.
Key points
- The bridge linking Lansanaya to Gagnakaly has been submerged due to heavy rainfall, disrupting traffic and daily life in the region.
- The local authorities are calling for urgent intervention from the central government to secure the passage and find a durable solution to the recurrent difficulties related to road infrastructure and heavy rainfall.
- The situation poses a direct threat to the daily lives of residents, with prolonged disruption of traffic risking to paralyze the supply of essential goods and stifle local commerce.
