…NDMA boss Ansu Dulleh
By Amos Harris
Monrovia, Liberia – June 3, 2025 – Ansu V. S. Dulleh, Executive Director of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), today issued a stark warning to the public as Liberia prepares for the peak of its rainy season, which is projected to bring severe flooding and violent windstorms across the country.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) regular press briefing, Director Dulleh revealed that over 60,000 residents living in lowland, coastal, and flood-prone areas are at high risk of being impacted by the anticipated extreme weather conditions.
Liberia’s rainy season runs from May through October, but Dulleh emphasized that the period from June to September is expected to witness the heaviest rainfall. Citing World Bank projections, he disclosed that Monrovia alone could receive over 1,000 millimeters of rainfall in June and September, and over 800 millimeters in July and August. Meteorological data from Roberts International Airport’s METAR station and NOAA’s Integrated Surface Database (ISD) also forecast increasing wind speeds, with violent windstorms likely to hit between July and October.
“These extreme conditions pose serious threats to lives and properties, especially in areas lacking climate-resilient infrastructure,” Mr. Dulleh warned. He further cautioned that non-durable structures may not withstand the intensity of flooding, potentially displacing thousands of residents and exposing communities to outbreaks of waterborne diseases and other health risks.
In response, the Government of Liberia has issued Executive Order 141, which bans encroachment on wetlands. Director Dulleh confirmed that enforcement of the order is ongoing to mitigate risks in vulnerable zones. Additionally, the NDMA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works and other partners, is engaged in clearing drainages and waterways under the World Bank-funded Urban Resilience Project. A national Flood Response Plan has been finalized, with ongoing inter-agency coordination to ensure preparedness.
Monitoring systems have also been activated to detect health threats linked to flooding. Moreover, a disaster risk management consultant from the World Bank is currently embedded with the NDMA from June to September to help develop a risk financing strategy aimed at unlocking emergency response funds when needed.
“We urge the general public to stay alert and follow all early warning instructions issued by the NDMA and relevant authorities,” said Dulleh. “Every citizen must observe safety protocols to minimize the impact of floods and related hazards.”
In case of emergencies, the public is advised to contact the NDMA via its hotline 2024 or use other emergency lines such as 911 or 4455. Director Dulleh reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting lives and livelihoods through proactive planning, early warning dissemination, and coordinated response efforts.