Residential structures and household items have been destroyed.
A kind of "state of emergency" was assumed in parts of Ngangue Thursday, October 3, as harsh winds and rains thrashed across Bonapriso, New-Bell and other parts of the economic capital shutting down roads, flooding streets, and downing residential housing structures made of wood. Following a door-to-door assessment of some homes, the flood destroyed mostly internal properties and a few wooden structures where squatters lived.
Before this major incident, the City Council had paved gullies to avert this experience. But there are real fears among residents given that homes built on major culverts still block the flow of rain water. Many believe that there is a threat of more rains, and inundation of flood-prone zones. Edith Songmbe, a resident, says if this should happen they may continue to swim in troubled waters and the situation poses the problem of uncertainty about her children getting to or coming back from school with huge flood waters all over the neighbourhood.
Living in the areas affected soon became uncomfortable when two homes were "allowed" to be constructed on the drains. Each time there is persistent downpour, episodes of untold damages ever recorded. A resident perceived flooding in Ngangue as a volatile source of mistrust of council authorities who seem not to take quick action to salvage them from constant physical, economic and emotional threats.
Authorities of Douala City Council have on several occasions announced the rehabilitation of the drains and construction of new ones to redeem the neighbourhoods. Now, flood water does not only flow into homes but stagnates in the area even after weeks of severe sunshine. The new exigency that started last May following complete blockages of the channels is today an inevitable imperative. The roads are now rendered unusable to most motorists as well as pedestrians to whom the flooding imposes a spirit of "survival of the fittest".
