Douala roads becoming dead traps, city council unmoved

Douala denizens around Monaco area, were blocked in their homes early Tuesday 27 June 2023 by heavy rainfall that lasted for six hours.

While some braved the odds to get to their job sites, others preferred to wait until it ceased.

Those who live in floods prone areas and where roads are cratered were compelled to sleep longer.

A case in point are persons living in Monaco, a neighbourhood found few metres away from the Bepanda Omnisport Stadium.

There, the road stretch which has now degraded and formed ‘lakes’ is impassable. Even the pedestrian tracks were flooded, coupled with the blocked drainage channels.

“Just see how the road is, swimming pools everywhere. With the heavy rainfall, some one can drown inside. It is not a joke or exaggeration. It is factual. Try and enter in one of them, then you will better understand what I am saying. Can’t you see how heavy duty trucks get lost inside? What more of us on foot. We are blocked. We just have to wait until the volume drops.” A nearby local explained.

Small and low vehicles were seen making a U-turn as they approached the ‘lakes’.

Another scenario was the strong water wave entering into roadside shops, when a vehicle passes by. Owners had a dual duty, that is, their main business activity and the water chase.

” My brother, I cannot even concentrate. I arrived in the rain trying to arrange the saloon, but the rain water will not allow me do so. I can’t count the number of times I have mopped the floor. This is all because of the poor state of the Monaco road. All the gravels and sand have blocked drainage channels. That is why water is finding it way in shops around as you can see.” A barber told CNA.

Nearby homes were also flooded by the rain water.

Meantime, circulation has been timid along the Monaco stretch of road, since most drivers and bike riders know the nature of this road and what awaits them especially when it rains heavily.

Several reports and distress calls from the road users for the Douala City Council to act have fallen on deaf ears.

The Douala City Council mayor had signed a communique earlier, announcing maintenance works from May 10. It is now getting to July and nothing has been done.