Understanding Douala’s Recurrent Floods

[Cameroon Tribune] Flooding is perceived as normal by Douala residents who live in constant physical and emotional threats with the return of persistent rains since two weeks. Yet, living in swamps, risk zones and slums, though unlawful, seems most preferred by urban poor in Douala. Squatter settlements such as Mambanda, “Bois des Singes”, Missoke, Ngangue, “Petit Paris” in Bonapriso, and other flood-prone areas of the economic capital, are nothing short of volatile sources of fear, especially with every drop of rain.