Mudslides in Sierra Leone: Causes, Effects, and Preventive Measures

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of mudslides in Sierra Leone, focusing on their causes, effects, and potential preventive measures. The study delves into the environmental factors contributing to mudslides, such as heavy rainfall, deforestation, and inadequate infrastructure, and examines their impact on construction and city development in Freetown. The report investigates the effects of mudslides, including loss of life, damage to buildings, and displacement of people, while also exploring various preventive strategies. These strategies include promoting afforestation, implementing stricter construction regulations, and improving waste management. The research also evaluates the government's role in addressing the issue and suggests ways to mitigate the negative consequences of mudslides and promote sustainable urban development. The report aims to provide a better understanding of the issue and suggest solutions to the people, government and authorities.

Examination of causes, effect and preventive
measures of mudslides on construction and
city development: a case of Sierra Leone

Table of Contents
TITLE: Examination of causes, effect and preventive measures of mudslides on construction and
city development: a case of Sierra Leone........................................................................................1
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................1
Overview and Background of research.......................................................................................1
Research aims:............................................................................................................................1
Research Objectives....................................................................................................................1
Research Questions.....................................................................................................................1
Rationale of Study.......................................................................................................................2
Significance of study...................................................................................................................2
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW.........................................................................................2
How mudslides can be prevented: ..............................................................................................4
Effect of mudslide on construction and city development..........................................................5
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.............................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

TITLE: Examination of causes, effect and preventive measures of mudslides
on construction and city development: a case of Sierra Leone
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
Overview and Background of research
Mudslide are basically developed when water gathers in ground and becomes
combination of water saturated stone, debris and earth. It is a natural calamity which starts with
initiates Sierra Leone is a country, situated in south west coast of West Africa. The country is
having tropical climate that range among savanna to rainforests (Dumbuya and Nirupama,
2017 ). On 14 August, 2017, the country have faced disasters situation due to mudflow which
took place in largest city of Sierra Leone that is mudflow. This unexpected event have destroyed
many lives in the city which were counted in numbers as around 1141. Along with this, it has
also damaged numerous of buildings and more than 3000 people homeless. The present
Dissertation is based on mudslides of Sierra Leone which have affected negatively on livelihood
of people in Freetown. The present research will deeply elaborate about causes, effective and
preventive measures of mudslides on city development and construction. In this regard,
researcher have prepared aim and objectives for the whole event in order to evaluate overall
situation and find out preventive which could be adopted by localise people while developing
their city.
Research aims:
The research for current study is “To investigate examination of causes, effect and
preventive measures of mudslides on construction and city development” A case of Sierra Leone
Research Objectives
 To identify the main cause of mudslides on construction.
 To analyse the preventive measure of mudslide.
 To identify the effect of mudslide on construction and city development.
Research Questions
 What are main causes of mudslides on construction?
 What are the preventive measures of mudslide?
 What is the effect of mudslide on construction and city development?
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Rationale of Study
The main purpose of conducting this research can be seen different for different people.
In context to academics, the major influence of conducting this research is to increase knowledge
of individual on case of Sierra Leone who could use this information in enhancing their
academic knowledge. With reference to researcher, the main aid of this research is to enhance
their personal as well as professional skills. It will also allow researcher in developing their
knowledge on natural calamities that could be further used by them while conducting other
research on similar kind of topic. The research will also provide some preventive measures to the
people who are living in this kind of area so that they could procure themselves from any
uncertain event.
Significance of study
The present research plays an significant role in finding out alternative ways by which
impact of natural calamity named as Mudslide can be reduced or procured effectively. The
specific study will also help government or legal authority of Freetown(Sierra Leone) by which
they can take some strict action for overcoming difficult situation which occurs in mentioned city
at regular basis. In perspective of researcher, this current research will help investigator
improving their professional knowledge on the similar topic so that they could conduct more
effective research in future.
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
What are the main causes of mudslides and city development
In the year 2017, on August 14 there is a mudslide in the mountain area of Sierra Leone's
capital Freetown. Debris flows is a common type of fast-moving landslides which is popularly
known as mudslides. According to the Macarthy, J., (2017), there are various causes behind
mudslides and city development. Some of the reasons are explained below:
Lack of adequate infrastructure: After conducting a proper research on Sierra Leone's
mudslides and city development, author of this research project says that due to lack of adequate
infrastructure. Government fail to provide proper infrastructure facilities to the people. Urgent
improvements and rechecking has to be done by the government, legislations and laws has to be
reviewed. These suggestions can help the country to avoid such act in near future.
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City pushes up towards mountain: City started pushing into the mountain area, so they
start cutting trees to fulfil there basic necessities along with land for their house. Because of this
risk of mudslides increase as trees forbid run-off and hold water. Author recommended that
country should take proper follow up on the reasons behind movements of people towards
mountain (Sierra Leone mudslide was a man-madetragedy that could have been prevented,
2019). It is also said by the author that the main cause behind moving towards mountain is that
rich people already captured all the city area. No other option left for poor people so they started
cutting trees and build their home on mountain areas.
Disturbance in the natural stability of a slope: Mudslides generates when water
continuously store in the ground. Author find this the main cause behind mudslides because of
heavy rainfall. This affect the whole city, which cause large amount of humanitarian crises.
People of the country was well aware about the fact that by rapidly cutting trees can cause heavy
damage to the people living on mountain areas.
Chaotically development: Some of the most place in Sierra Leone's have generate
chaotically by their local people. Without following any basic planning and guidelines people
often built houses by influentially and forcefully. Author of the research report suggest that
government of the country should bring proper legislations and rules for the development of city.
Government should take strict actions about illegal constructions by local people of the country.
Before starting constructions on prohibited area proper paper work should be done by both the
parties, government as well as public.
Home Ownership: According to the author people started building houses high on
mountain because of no place for shelter in the city area. Poor as well as rich people wants to
grab place for their own home by moving towards mountain areas (Austin and McKinney,
2016). For this they started cutting trees which negatively affects the environment and
surroundings of that locations by heavy rainfall. Approximately 40% of urban population stays in
that location of country.
As per the above specified research, various causes are given by the author. Government
and legislative bodies of the country need proper planning for the development so that they could
prevent natural and in case if they are not able to prevent then at least they can cure or find out
alternative option for it. Along with this, these specified caused have also influenced and the
working capability of existing people and their lifestyles in negative manner.
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How mudslides can be prevented:
Mudslides have been occurring in a number ODF countries nowadays. It is a process
which happens when a number of rocks uncombined tumble or roll down from a slope. It often
is known as a landslide . These are a part of natural calamities which can even happen due to
constructions happening in excess due to which deforestation is dine and land is left barren. A
mudslide can be present in a number of forms such as thick water mud to thick mud flow which
contains a high amount of debris in it.
This report studies about landslides that occurred in Sierra Leone which is a town in
Africa. In context of Sierra it has been observed that a huge disaster happened when 500 people
lost their lives due to mudslides (Lila, 2018). This happened due to sudden collapse of a hill side
at 6 am in the morning. Main reason behind this mudslide was excess amount of torrential
rainfalls since last three days due to which the soil became free and flowy. Also there were no
trees or plantations to hold it firm due to excessive construction practices and city dwellings as
well. Government hence has now developed a number of ways that help in preventing any such
complicated disasters.
According to the article presented by Africatech, (2017), it has been examined that
devastations caused due to this mudslide in Sierra Leone could be prevented if government
undertook plantation measures and promoted afforestation. Also they should have adopted
measures for saving trees and planting more and more trees from time to time. Furthermore, as
per the analysis the researcher feels that such a disaster and misshapen could be controlled only
if government had been aware and started taking initiatives both on financial as well as political
aspects (How can Sierra Leone learn from mudslide to avert future deaths, 2019). Also they
should have well planned various key strategies in context of urbanisation and city dwellings so
that it might not have affected lives of people to such a great extent. Also they should adopt
measures that help in managing wastes along with deforestation as well as effectively plan
regarding housing as well as spatial planning.
In addition to this, government can initiate more practical approaches which help in
effective planning regarding urban societies and also help in resolving issues such as shortage of
housing facilities, forcible relocation to hazardous and unhygienic places etc. Also government
should plan regarding initiatives such as collaborating and cooperating with people. Also people
should be trained and educated about how they can face and resolve such issues or deal with
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natural disasters in case of complex situations. This will further be quite beneficial in improving
quality of life of individuals along with ensuring their safe and sound health and surroundings.
Effect of mudslide on construction and city development
As per thoughts given by Egbejule. E., (2019), it has been analysed that mudslides have
affected life of people living in Sierra Leone negatively. Its major effect has been seen in the loss
of life of approximately 1000 people, around hundreds of people are still missing. Along with
this, the natural calamity event has also snatched house of approximately 3000 people who are
remained homeless after the disaster. With reference to this thought, it can be said that all of
them have also placed impact of construction in Freetown and development in the same city. At
first, it has been evaluated that this disaster have influenced legal authorities and government
regarding construction practices. Recently, government of Freetown City Councils have declared
that they will strictly stop or prevent illegal construction practices as excessive construction will
promote these events in future too. Along with this, legal authority have also stated that they will
definitely also become strict on methods by people are taking permission to construct their
building or home (Klomp, 2016). These other methods can be seen in the form of bribery and
high approaches with senior most authority. As a result, this strictness in the behaviour of
government will reduce number of construction practices in Freetown as well as other risky city
zone of Sierra Leone. This might contribute in reducing impact of future affects of disastrous
situation which took place in future.
Apart from this, the similar author have specified that mudslides have affected
development Freetown city in both the ways that is positive as well as negative. In the positive
sense, it has been analysed that Mudslide have influenced people to increase their knowledge on
environment in order to assess risky situation so that they could take preventive measure for
securing life of people. In addition to this, it can be said that it is one of the main reason which
have contributed in quick development of the city (Mudslide in Sierra Leone exposes dangers of
Freetown's unchecked sprawl, 2019). On the other hand the negative side of Mudslide on City
development of Freetown is that it disallows this city to take some initiatives which will help
them in recovering this problem. One of the common disadvantage in the development of
Freetown can be seen in the form of excessive strictness in construction activities. Along with
this, the similar disaster have also affected regular based lifestyle of people who were injured
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because of this hazard. As a result, it overall development of Freetown have been declined due to
this natural calamity.
Furthermore, it has been analysed that people of this country have affected in both the
manner that is financially as well as humanity bases. Along with this, author have also stated that
localise people of this country are using their additional savings and other financial sources for
the purpose of rebuilding their home so that they can carry on their previous lifestyle. On the
basis of this, it can be said that this much investment in construction have affected negatively
work of people and wasted their savings on different areas. This have resulted negatively
influenced lifestyle of people as they are always worried about their lives. These people are not
able to concentrate on their future. Thus, the overall development of this city(Freetown)
declined at constant basis.
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Methodology is a process of identify, selecting, collecting and analysing
informations and data about a particular topic for a purpose of taking business decisions. It is
systematic or theoretical technique or procedure which is used to collect all the relevant,
authentic and necessary information about a subject. With the help of this method, researcher can
collect most appropriate and reliable data.
Research approach: Research approach is another name given to set of rules which is
considered by researchers while collecting some data and information over some topic or subject.
It is a set of plan and procedures which includes some steps and assumptions (Chan, 2017). For
completing a research there are some ways which a researcher can use. These approaches are as
follows: Deductive approach: While conductive quantitative type of research, researcher use
this approach. Base of this research is some mathematical assumptions and results.
Researcher use this approach, when the sources of information and data are true and
valid. As a result conclusion must be fair and true. Inductive approach: this approach is just opposite of deductive approach. It is used by
researcher while conducting qualitative approach. According to researcher this
approach is used when the known sources are used to create untested conclusions.
Data collection : it is the process by which researcher collect all the necessary information from
their sources which help them to find solution to their research problem. Researcher must
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analyse the type of data while collecting the information and data. Based on the research
problem, choice of data collection is made. There are two types of methods for collecting data,
which are as follows: Primary Method: In this original and first time collected data is used by any researcher
while conducting any research. Every researcher has some unique research problem,
and for finding the solution they collect some relevant information and data (Ercanoglu
and Sonmez, 2019). Researcher can collect data from various sources. These sources
can be interview, survey, questionnaire, observations. With the help of this they can
collect more accurate and fresh data. Only drawback of this method is that it is time
consuming and costly.
 Secondary Method : With the help of previously conducted researches, researcher
collect data by reading and studying them. This is the reason it is known as second hand
data. Sources of data collection can be newspapers, journals, web sites, articles. With
the help of secondary data collection method researcher can get necessary, authentic
and required data.
Both primary and secondary method of data collection is used in this project report, by which
researcher get authentic and accurate data.
Data analysis : it is the most important process which is used by scholars to outline the
necessary finding related to research project. Data analysis used by researcher for transforming,
modelling, cleaning all the informations and data into final output. Two types of data analysis
used by scholars while completing their research:
1. Qualitative: Every researcher use this method for collecting and finalising a research
report which is in theoretical pattern (Klomp, 2016). This method is cost saving and help
researcher to complete its research in less time.
2. Quantitative: in this method mathematical data is collected by researcher. By using
numbers researcher is giving a clear view about the research topic. As a result it is time
consuming and costly method for any researcher.
Qualitative method of analysing data is used by the researcher in this report. This project report
is less time consuming and also help the researcher in saving the cost of conducting a research.
Data sampling: There are two types of data sampling. Probabilistic and non probabilistic.
Probabilistic data sampling popularly known as random data sampling. For completing the
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present research project scholar use probabilistic method. This is used for collecting accurate and
appropriate data.
Gantt chart: Henry L. Gantt developed Gantt chart in 1917 which is one of the most
popular and commonly used technique in project management. For maintaining and controlling
production level this tool is used. With the help of this technique a graphical representation of a
schedule is prepared which helps them to plan a specific task , track and coordinate in a
particular project (Chan, 2017). A specific team use this tool to show how their tasks work along
with its time duration. Every activity in this task is represented with a bar chart, where its
position and length denotes with ending and starting date of a particular task. Gantt chart is used
by the researcher in their research project. With the help of this chart, researcher can plan their
day to day activities, with this they can analyse how effectively and properly activities along
with its time duration.
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