Seasonal Change : National Climate Observatory warns of floods and Mudslides in August

There will be a spiral of floods and mudslides and other natural disasters in some cities in Cameroon in the month of August, the National Observatory for Climate Change has warned.

The monthly  bulletin on weather forcast and climate change for August from the National Observatory on Climate Change indicates that the natural disasters will occur from August 1-10 in parts of the ten regions of Cameroon.

The Far North and North regions

The National Observatory on Climate Change indicates that heavy rains may trigger flooding in certain agglomerations in Yagoua, Kaélé, Kousseri, Guider, Pitoa, Rey-Bouba, and Maroua, Tokombéré and other areas in the Far North region.

Accordingly, cases of drowning, deaths, possible losses of poultry and pigs in certain localities in the North and Far North Regions, may be reported following the floods.

Run off water may also  contaminate water points and food in certain large agglomerations  due to the floods. This may lead to new cases of cholera infections.

Adamawa

Unlike the North and Far North regions, the Adamawa region will experience heatwave in Tibati, Bétaré Oya and other localities due to high temperatures between 31 ° C and 35 ° C. Meanwhile, cold nights in localities like Dota, Tchabal Djalingo, Ngaoundéré, Mbe, Banyo and Meiganga, will also witness falling temperatures between 13 ° C and 20 ° C.

West and North West Regions

Between August 1-10, transmission infrastructures like wooden poles, transformers could be damaged by heavy rains, accompanied by strong winds and lightning.

The weather conditions will saturate the soil with water leading to the deterioration in the quality of  peanuts and tubers (cassava, cocoyams ) in many localities in the West and North-West regions.

Heavy rains within a short period of time will lead to flooding in some agglomerations of the North-West Regions like Bamenda, Ndop, Babessi, Ako and Wum. In the West region Baham, Bafoussam, Santchou, Foumban, Bandjoun, Foumbot, Kekem and Bafang will witness a similar situation .

The loss of lives following landslides and the collapse of residential houses may be observed in certain localities like Bafoussam, Santchou, Kekem, Bafang, Mbouda, Bafou and Dschang in the West Regions and Kom, Wum, Kumbo, Oku, Benakuma, Belo and Bamenda in the North-West region.

The National Observatory says a multiplication of larval deposits and malaria vector mosquitoes in many localities in the West and North-West Regions will lead to increased cases of Malaria.

Centre and East region

There will be a continuity of the short dry season in the Centre and East Regions, which may be interspersed by rainfall. Localities in the Centre regions like Nanga and Boko, Mbalmayo, Nkoteng, Bafia, Ngoro and Yoko, and  region like Bertoua, Abong- Mbang, Yokadouma, Ngoyla in the East will witness heatwave with temperatures between 31 ° C and 35 ° C.

During this time, armyworm caterpillars will invade plantations of certain localities in the Centre and East Regions.

Strong winds will degrade and destroy banana plantations, groves, , citrus trees, avocado trees, papaya trees in many localities in the Centre and East Regions.

In health, new cases of cholera in some large urban areas in the Centre Region, especially in Yaoundé and neighboring cities, and in the East will be reported following the contamination of water points and food by  runoff water.

South Region

The short dry season will also be witnessed in the South Region, with a probability of rainfall. A high heatwave will be reported in many localities in the South region including; Zoétélé, Ambam, Akom II, with temperatures between 31 ° C and 35 ° C.

Littoral and South West region

From August 1 to 10, 2023, the coastal regions of Cameroon will witness hot nights especially in Douala, Edea, Loum, Melong, Nkongsamba, Penja, Yabassi, with temperatures between 20 ° C and 27 ° C.

Flooding will be witnessed in some agglomerations of the South-West Regions like Limbe, Tiko, Kumba, Idenau, Buea, Ekondo, etc. and in the in the Littoral region in areas like Douala, Melong, Yabassi, Nkongsamba, Loum, Edea following the heavy rains.

Inhabitants of the region will also have to deal with a rise in heatwave in Mbanga, Manjo, Ndokama, Douala, Mouanko and Edea, with temperatures between 31 ° C and 35 ° C.

New cases of cholera will be reported in some urban areas of the Littoral and South-West Regions following contamination of water points and food by runoff water.

Flooding will be witnessed in some agglomerations of the South-West Regions like Limbe, Tiko, Kumba, Idenau, Buea, Ekondo, and Douala, Melong, Yabassi, Nkongsamba, Loum, Edea in the Littoral region following the heavy rains.

More so, cases of landslides may be observed in some localities in the South-West Regions especially Limbé, Buea, Fontem, Tombel, Wabane, Nguti, Debundscha, and Douala, Yabassi, Manjo, Mbanga, and Nkongsamba in the Littoral region.

The National Observatory on Climate Change urges farmers from the 10 Regions of the
Cameroon, to endeavor to refer to the agricultural calendars of their respective regions. It will also be important for the population to also be educated on the need to scrupulously respect hygiene and sanitation practices to prevent cholera and other diseases.

Kathy Neba Sina