06/08/2026
💙 Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by yesterday's devastating floods and landslides in Limbe.
We extend our deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and wish a speedy recovery to those who were injured.
We also commend the emergency responders and community members who risked their lives to rescue those in danger.
August marks the peak of the rainy season in Cameroon. As climate change continues to intensify extreme weather events, coastal cities like Limbe are becoming increasingly vulnerable to flooding and landslides. While no single rainfall event can be attributed solely to climate change, a warming climate is making heavy rainfall events more frequent and more intense, increasing the risk of disasters.
The rain that falls today is not fundamentally different from the rain that fell decades ago.
What has changed is the way our landscapes and cities have evolved. Rapid urbanization, deforestation, construction on wetlands and floodplains, inadequate drainage infrastructure, poor waste management that blocks drainage channels, and settlements in high-risk zones all combine to make flooding more severe and more destructive.
Flooding is a complex challenge that requires holistic and long-term solutions. As Harris Ashangwa often says, "When we oversimplify complex challenges and remain reactive instead of proactive, sustainable solutions continue to elude us."
It is also worth noting that the Observatoire National sur les Changements Climatiques au Cameroun (National Observatory on Climate Change) had warned in its weather bulletin that heavy rainfall and flooding were expected across the South-West Region between 1 and 10 August. This reminds us of the importance of strengthening early warning systems and ensuring that weather advisories reach communities in time and are acted upon.
What can we all do?
✅ Follow weather forecasts and official alerts, especially during the rainy season.
✅ If you live in a flood-prone area, have an emergency evacuation plan and move to safer ground when authorities issue warnings.
✅ Avoid building or settling in wetlands, floodplains, steep hillsides, and other high-risk areas.
✅ Never dump waste into drains, streams, or waterways. Blocked drainage systems significantly increase flood risks.
✅ Protect and restore wetlands, forests, and urban green spaces, which naturally absorb excess rainfall and reduce flooding.
✅ Local authorities should strengthen drainage infrastructure, enforce land-use planning regulations, protect wetlands, and invest in resilient urban planning.
✅ Communities should work together before and during the rainy season to clean drainage channels and identify vulnerable areas.
Climate resilience is no longer optional—it is essential. Together, we can build safer, healthier, and more resilient communities for everyone.
