People who live in slumps in Yaounde are undergoing hard times as a result of persistent rainfall.

At a time when people in some parts of the country expected the dry season to begin, there have been persistent rains in Yaounde to the extent that one would think we were in the heart of the rainy season. Normally at this time of the year, it is getting to the dry season in Yaounde but the rains have been falling almost on a daily basis, this not without consequences on the lifestyle on the city dwellers.

The worst hit are swamp dwellers who suffer from floods each time the rains fall despite efforts made to contain the overflow of water. In the “Quartier Fouda” neighbourhood in Yaounde, some people have temporarily moved out of their houses, only to return after the rains whereas those who have no where else to go, spend sleepless nights packing and washing things each time the rain falls.

Outside the swamp dwellers, rains also disrupt normal activities around the Yaounde metropolis with people going late to work or returning late at night because of heavy downpours. Owing to the fact that commuters wait for the rains to cease before boarding taxis to their different destinations, there is usually heavy traffic shortly after rains as people and cars flood the streets of the capital. As the saying goes, one man’s misfortune is another man’s fortune, the heavy rains have come as manna from heaven. Taxi drivers increase fares after rainfall and only carry those who pay well. It is also good business for those who sell umbrellas or operate car washing points. With the rampant thunder that accompanies the rains, there are occasional blackouts and electrical appliances get damaged thus enabling electronic repair technicians to make brisk business.

According to Maurice Tsalefac, an expert and lecturer at the University of Yaounde I on climate change, the intensity of rainfall in almost all regions of the country is now unusual. He said this can only be linked to the effects of climate change. He however said, the harmattan winds will soon blow, announcing the advent of the dry season. “Droughts, heavy rainfall and very hot atmosphere are the effects of climate and city dwellers should progressively adapt to the changes,” he advised. However, the climate change expert said the position of Cameroon on the 10° latitude instead of the usual 6-7° is abnormal and with that, the rainy season is going to persist.