First Gouache, then Damas: is Cameroon prepared?
In the Damas vicinity in Yaounde, inhabitants now wear a dull face as many have seen their neighbors, friends and family perish but life must go on. In the same area, or elsewhere? Nonetheless, government officials in the likes of the Governor of the Centre region, the Minister of housing and urban development and the Minister of territorial administration have urged survivors and those around to vacate the area which still is a risk zone.
“We still have people living in swampy areas in many countries including Cameroon because of bad land planning. It should not be tolerated to let people live there because lives have no price. Few years back we had people evacuate at a place call Carriere in Yaounde and we have not lost lives there. Same thing should happen in many places in Cameroon. Zero tolerance should be given to people trying to build houses in those areas. Yet they still have building permits or construct without those while the authorities stay silent for one reason or another,” Durando Ndongsok an environmental expert says.
Unlike Gouache IV on October 28 2019 in Bafoussam III in the West region, or even around Hilltop, Hausa quarter of Fiango Kumba II on September 4 2022, where a landslide occured due to heavy rains, the case of Damas is hard to comprehend in a dry season.
“Landslides in Cameroon cannot be directly associated to climate change. Gouache did not come to people as a big surprise, though it was raining for long time. Damas also most likely should not be a big surprise, because it was not raining, but when you see the location you understand it could be anticipated that the land could slide at anytime, at any season when a small force is applied to it.” Environmental expert Durando Ndongsok goes on.
Climate change is affecting a wide range of countries home and abroad but with proper town planning and anticipation, much could be avoided in Cameroon.
“Yes, with climate change exacerbating bad land planning and lack of anticipation, we could expect a lot more in the coming years. No one can really anticipate on climate change to a good extent but when associated with bad planning, it can get worse,” Durando further explains.
Within three years, Cameroon has lost over 50 lives to landslide, not counting floods and other natural disasters but habitation in risk zones seems not to scare many in search of refuge
“Give zero tolerance to build in non-appropriate areas, read climate signs (there are a lot of cheap tools today to anticipate on weather and other climatic signs) and act accordingly, educate people and keep in mind that life has no price,” Durando Ndongsok advises.
While waiting for appropriate actions to be taken to avert these deaths, the population has been reminded on the need to avoid building in risk zones.
