By Lamin Fatty
On Monday, July 14, 2025, parts of rural Gambia, especially in the Upper River Region (URR) and Central River Region (CRR), experienced the heaviest rainfall in more than four years.
The Department of Water Resources in Basse confirmed that 142.7 millimeters of rain fell that day — the highest amount recorded in the area since 2022.
“This is the highest amount of rain I have recorded in this region since 2022,” said Modou Sowe, a meteorologist based in Basse.
Despite the heavy downpour, there was little damage reported. The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) said most areas remained safe and dry.
“We did not receive any serious reports of damage across the region,” said Huddled E.M. Colley, the NDMA disaster coordinator for URR.
However, he mentioned a few minor incidents:A culvert between Demba Kunda Koto and Demba Kunda Kuta was damaged by the rain, a single room in the same area collapsed and one maize farm was covered with sand due to erosion.
Colley explained that because the ground was not yet fully soaked from previous rains, the water was able to sink into the soil. This may have prevented major flooding and destruction.
Residents welcomed the rain but remained cautious as the rainy season continues. Authorities are advising people to stay alert, especially in low-lying or flood-prone areas.
