In the face of weather forecasts predicting an increase in rainfall levels between August and October 2026, the governor of the region, Awa Fonka Augustine, indicates the precautions to take to avoid numerous risks.
Alert! Caution! Vigilance! Rainfall will increase by 10 to 25% above normal in some departments of the Western region during the months of August, September, and October. Bamboutos, Menoua, Mifi, Haut-Nkam, Koung-Khi, and the High Plateaus are in the red zone, according to weather forecasts from the meteorology department of the Ministry of Transport.
This development marked by intense precipitation and high humidity can lead to various risks in the region: soil erosion, increased fungal diseases on crops, difficulties in drying harvests, development of parasitic diseases in livestock, flooding in lowlands, violent runoff, landslides or mudslides on roadways and slopes, contamination of drinking water points, increased malaria risks.
The situation requires adherence to special measures to mitigate these numerous risks. The governor of the Western region is raising awareness among the population, economic actors, and local authorities of the concerned administrative units and territorial communities. Awa Fonka Augustine urges them to clean gutters, drains, and water evacuation routes to prevent urban flooding. He prescribes water treatment before consumption to avoid waterborne diseases, as well as the use of impregnated mosquito nets. These health risk prevention measures are combined with those related to the protection of crops and livestock.
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The administrative authority recommends that farmers and producers prioritize preventive phytosanitary treatments and use ventilated shelters or dryers. The governor urges livestock breeders to carry out preventive antiparasitic treatments and to avoid grazing livestock on waterlogged soils. The measures also concern road safety and call for maximum caution on the road during travel in periods of heavy rain in landslide risk areas.
Rainfall changes related to climate change pose problems both in the West and in other regions of the country. Between June and August, floods associated with landslides and building collapses caused three deaths in Limbe in the South-West region as well as injuries. Building collapses in Douala in the Littoral region also caused loss of life and material damage. In the northern regions of the country, flood risks also weigh due to rains and threats to certain security devices such as dikes. Vigilance is required everywhere, especially since the National Observatory on Climate Change (ONACC) announces flood risks in seven of the ten regions until August 20, 2026.
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