By Raymond Dingana
Floods triggered by heavy rains have swept away a nine months old baby by name Precious, in Sisia 4, Bamenda III Sub Division of the North West Region of Cameroon. Sources close to the family report that heavy rain water carried Precious away after she and her aunt, Sakinatu, fell into a stream near their home.
Reports say Sakinatu and Precious were trying to reach the mother of the baby after she woke up from sleep but luck will not smile on them as they fell into a flooded nearby stream. Eye witness say residents rushed to their aid, and thanks to a neighbor named Ngongmu, Sakinatu was rescued. Unfortunately, baby Precious was swept away.
Search efforts on Tuesday and Wednesday to locate the baby have been futile. Sakinatu is currently receiving treatment at a health facility in Bamenda, while the search for baby Precious continues.
The heavy rains that fell on Tuesday night complicated the rescue mission, according to one volunteers.
The sad event occurred just days after the National Observatory on Climate Change (ONOCC) issued warnings of imminent natural disasters, including floods, in several regions of Cameroon.
Authorities have identified Sisia quarter as a high risk zone. Some of the bridges over streams pose serious dangers. The area’s slope makes it particularly hazardous, as rocks can easily dislodge and cause havoc.
The Bamenda city council officials have repeatedly urged residents in risky areas to evacuate. However, they have not provided alternative housing, which has hindered efforts to relocate those in danger. Residents claim that if suitable housing were offered, they would leave the risk zones without hesitation.
