BY: News Peddlers
Authorities in Cameroon say record of flooding on the country's western border with Nigeria has killed at least six people, destroyed homes, and destroyed thousands of tons of food destined for export.
Civilians asked the Cameroon government to help clear the road of earth, mud, and stones in a video circulated on social media platforms by Widium council officials.
Paul Okafor, a Nigerian who buys palm oil and vegetables from Widikum to sell in his country, is one of the merchants. He claimed that floods and landslides had stranded him in Widikum for five days, with no vehicle able to leave or enter because flood waters had covered roads and landslides were pulling down hills on roadside.
Okafor claims that the vegetables and tomatoes he purchased are starting to rot, and Widikum vegetable farmers complain that their harvest is rotting.
The mayor of Widikum district, Andoh Stanilos, acknowledged that his council staff shared the videos. He claimed that floods caused by landslides killed six people, displaced hundreds, and destroyed homes and warehouses.
"The floodplains overflowed and swept away houses," "He stated. "At the time of writing, there are more than 55 people without food. The council is attempting to mobilize resources, so I am issuing this appeal to the government and people of goodwill to come to the aid of those who are currently destitute."
Floods destroyed a 36-meter-long bridge on the Momo River, stranding hundreds of merchants and commuters on both sides of the river. Momo, the administrative unit in which Widikum is located, is a palm oil, maize, potato, tomato, and vegetable production basin.
Cameroon's National Observatory on Climate Change forecasted floods and landslides for many Cameroonian towns and villages, including Widikum, last month.
According to Forghab Patrick, the observatory's deputy director general, homes built in flood-prone areas exacerbated the situation.
"People build in marshes," Patrick explained. "What happens? Water cannot circulate properly because houses obstruct even the waterways, and at the end of the day, those who live in those homes are all exposed."
The government has stated that it is educating people to avoid settling in high-risk areas, but it has not stated whether it will provide the food and water that victims have requested.
SOURCE: VOA