Severe Weather Risks: Peak Rainy Season Triggers Flood, Landslide Warnings

The National Observatory on Climate Change, NOCC has issued a press release and detailed climate vigilance bulletin warning the public of elevated risks of localized flooding, landslides, damaging winds. And severe thunderstorms across Cameroon as the country enters the peak of the August rainy season.

The warning, issued on August 11, 2026, by the Head of the NOCC Far North Regional Office, geographer-climatologist Dr. Meyong René Ramsès, highlights high rainfall variability and calls for immediate safety measures to mitigate disaster risks.

Peak Rainy Season

According to the Far North Regional Office, the northern territory is gradually entering the height of its rainy season starting from the second ten-day period (dekad) of August 2026. Observations gathered since the start of the season align with NOCC's earlier seasonal forecasts, showing significant precipitation irregularities:

June saw a relatively timid onset in the southern parts of the region, while the northern section - particularly the Logone and Chari Division - experienced a delayed start. The region has been subjected to alternating cycles of severe dry spells and brief episodes of heavy downpours. Locally destructive winds have been recorded continuously since the beginning of the rainy season.

Erratic Weather Patterns

NOCC emphasized that despite cumulative seasonal rainfall remaining near normal or locally deficient overall, this irregular pattern creates conditions highly favorable for sudden, localized flash floods. Additionally, continuous monitoring is underway for upstream watersheds along the Logone and Chari rivers to evaluate the rising potential for riverine flooding in the Mayo Danay and Logone and Chari Divisions.

Regional Hazard Alerts

In tandem with the regional press release, NOCC outlined specific risk assessments across four major hazard categories impacting various administrative regions from August 11–20, 2026.

High Flooding Risks

Long-duration torrential rains combined with inadequate urban drainage systems are expected to cause flooding in several municipalities. Littoral Region - high risk for Nkongsamba, Loum, Manjo, Douala II, III, IV and V Subdivisions. And Bakoko as from August 11–13, 2026 and August 15–18, 2026.

In the South West Region, areas, including Buea, Limbe, Kumba, Mundemba, Bamusso, and surrounding localities are likely to face floods between August 11–13, 2026 and August 15–19, 2026. In Adamawa Region, Ngaoundéré, Bambol, Louga, Bindiba, and Mayo Boutali are expected to experience floods from August 13–15, 2026. And August 17–19, 2026.

Same Risks Elsewhere

The situation in the Far North Region is expected to be prone to floods in areas such as Maroua, Bogo, Guere, Tokombere, Yagoua, and Gazawa as from August 14–18, 2026 and on August 20, 2026.

Similarly, inhabitants of the North Region in places like Garoua, Lagdo, Tchollire, Rey Bouba, Pitoa, and neighboring communities have been warned to watch out for floods as from August 13–18, 2026. While in the North West Region, Bamenda, Kumbo, Fundong, Oku, Batibo, and Kimbi are also expected to experience flooding from August 11–14, 2026 and August 17–19, 2026. While the West Region - Bafoussam, Dschang, Foumban, Bafang, and surrounding areas – should expected flooding as from August 11–13, 2026, and August 15–18, 2026.

Landslide Vulnerability

Prolonged rain saturating steep terrain has heightened landslide hazards between August 11 and August 20, 2026 across hilly zones in the North West Region. Such as Boyo, Mezam, Bui, Momo, and Menchum Divisions. The South West Region should see landslides in Fako, Lebialem, Kupe-Muanenguba, and Manyu Divisions.

While in the West Region, Menoua, Bamboutos, Upper Nkam (Kekem, Bana, Bandja, Bafang), and Upper Plateau (Batie) Divisions are expected to be vulnerable to landslides. Finally, the Littoral Region with Nkongsamba, Manjo, Mbanga, and Logbessou should also be prone to landslides within the same timeframe.

Violent Winds, Atmospheric Turbulence

Driven by intense atmospheric convection and localized relief factors, strong winds threaten the North and Far North Regions, particularly between August 11–15, 2026 and on August 18, 2026.

Severe Thunderstorms, Lightning

Rising warm air colliding with cold upper-altitude air masses will trigger severe lightning storms across the Far North, North West, Adamawa, and North Regions from August 11–14, 2026 and August 16–19, 2026, climatologists have warned.

Public Safety Directives

In the light of these weather threats, NOCC has urged residents, local leaders, and administrative authorities to exercise maximum caution. NOCC therefore recommended safety actions such as refraining from setting up structures or traveling through flood-prone zones, valleys, and riverbanks during heavy downpours.

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