Violent storm destroys village in Mbok-Ngon

In middle of the dry season, the people of Mefou and Adams in the department of Central region were surprised on 8th February, by an unprecedented storm which caused enormous damage in the village.

"What am I going to become, the wind this time took everything from me, God help me!" old Hélène cried before her devastated banana farm and her kitchen crushed by the merciless wind, moments after the storm. Mbok-Ngon in Ngoumou neighborhood is in desolation to the shock of inhabitants.

The downpour of last Sunday lasted only 30 minutes but the force of the wind was phenomenal. Across the city, the damage is visible. "This is my first time experiencing such strong winds, I asked my little children to stay in and wait for death on the spot," said Mama Jeanne.

Downtown, public buildings were affected by the violent storm. The Sub-Prefecture of Ngoumou for example lost part of its roof. "The archives and mail room was destroyed by the wind and water," noted an agent.

In the Court, a young lady tried to spread out in the sun soaked paperwork pending repairs.

The small town of Ngoumou has always been the theatre of such storms. Last year, almost 'at the same time, a violent storm had caused similar damage: electricity poles were uprooted, roofs blown off and trees uprooted. Fortunately, no loss of human life has ever been recorded.