Extreme Rainfall and the 14 October 2019 Flooding at the IRAD Multipurpose Station Foumbot (IMSF): West Region of Cameroon

International Journal of Agriculture & Environmental Science

© 2020 by SSRG - IJAES Journal

Volume 7 Issue 2

Year of Publication : 2020

Authors : Thierry Gaitan Tchuenga Seutchueng, Flore Djuidje Kamogne, Stephane Martial Kamtchoum, Mesmin Tchindjang, Frederic Saha, Nchoutnji Ibrahim,Tchudjo Tchuente Armelle Nadine

10.14445/23942568/IJAES-V7I2P111

How to Cite?

Thierry Gaitan Tchuenga Seutchueng, Flore Djuidje Kamogne, Stephane Martial Kamtchoum, Mesmin Tchindjang, Frederic Saha, Nchoutnji Ibrahim,Tchudjo Tchuente Armelle Nadine, "Extreme Rainfall and the 14 October 2019 Flooding at the IRAD Multipurpose Station Foumbot (IMSF): West Region of Cameroon," SSRG International Journal of Agriculture & Environmental Science, vol. 7,  no. 2, pp. West Region of Cameroon" SSRG International Journal of Agriculture & Environmental Science 72 (202039-51, 2020. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23942568/IJAES-V7I2P111

Abstract:

This study analyses the influence of extreme precipitation and flood amplification on the spatial and temporal level at the IRAD Multipurpose Station of Foumbot (IMSF) from a hydro-climatic and anthropogenic approach. The processing and analysis for 20 years of rainfall data allowed the measurement and the extent of the phenomenon in the study area. Thus the topographic configuration of the IMSF, particularly the valley bottom with flat topography, predisposes it to the risk of flooding. Heavy rainfalls from July to September contributed to the floods. During the first decade in the month of October, there is an increase of the River Noun bed of 5 m and its main branch Momon of 1 m considerably. The areas flooded on a recurrent basis, were most often crop plots having a flat relief located near the River Noun. There was also the absence of main drain dredging, the anarchic occupation of flood areas and the under sizing of the drainage channels for runoff water. As a result, a significant quantity of water had stagnated between the ridges in the cultivation plots, contributing to the complete destruction of the plants. More than one hectare of hybrid maize seeds, 8 ha of tomatoes were destroyed, and more than 15 ha of beans completely flooded. This situation underlines the need to take into account climate change adaptation policies and numerical climatic predictions for better flood risk management.

Keywords:

drainage, flooded land, inundation, river beds, torrential rains

References:

[1] Abossolo SA, Batha RAS, Djeugang AB. (2015). Identification of rainfall risks on the cultivation of maize in the Penka-Michel district, in the highlands of western Cameroon. Afrique Science, 11 (2): 136-146.
[2] Aubert; Segalen, 2001. Origin and distribution of soils in the Noun valley. 17P
[3] Bruckmann L, Amanejieu A, Moffo moz, Ozer P. (2019). Geohistorical analysis of the spatio-temporal evolution of the flood risk and its management in the urban area of Douala (Cameroon). Physio-Geo, 13: 91-113. DOI: 10.4000 / physio-geo.8038.
[4] Guha-Sapir D, Hoyois Ph., Below R. (2016). Annual Disaster Statistical Review: The Numbers and Trends. CRED, Brussels.
[5] Guerreiro, M.J., Lajinha, T., Abreu,I (2008) .Flood analysis with the Standard Precipitation Index. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/239919916
[6] Huard D, Mailhot A, Duchesne S. (2010). Bayesian estimation of intensity–duration–frequency curves and of the return period associated to a given rainfall event. Stochastic Environmental Research and Risk Assessment 24: 337-347. DOI: 10.1007/s00477-009-0323-1.
[7] Hangnon H., De longueville F., Ozer P. (2015). ‘Extreme’ precipitation and floods in Ouagadougou: when urban development is poorly controlled. XXVIII th Symposium of the International Association of Climatology, Liège.
[8] IPCC. 2007. Climate Change 2007: impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
[9] Parry M, Canziani OF, Palutikof JP, van der Linden PJ, Hanson CE, Eds., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 976 pp.
[10] Kalédjé PSK, Ngoupayou JRN, Takounjou AF, Zebsa M, Rakotondrabe F, Ondoa JM. 2019. Floods of 18 and 19 November 2016 in Batouri (East Cameroon): Interpretation of the hydro-meteorological parameters and historical context of the post-event survey episode. The Scientific World Journal :1-7.
[11] Mbevo FP. 2019. Vulnerability and adaptation of the populations of CAP Cameroon to natural risks. Build the port city of tomorrow in Atlantic Africa. EMS, Havre, pp. 583-611.
[12] McKee TB, Doesken NJ, Kleist J. 1995. Drought monitoring with multiple time scales. Proceedings of the 9th Conference on Applied Climatology, 15-20 January, American Meteorological Society pp. 233-236.
[13] Meva'a AD, Fouda M, Nguehan BS, Ebana AA, Pola GM. 2015. Vulnerability of urban agriculture to flooding in the Mbanya watershed in Douala (Cameroon). The Annals of Urban Research, 110 (1): 164-173.
[14] Mohymont B., Demarée G.R., 2006: Intensity-duration-frequency curves of precipitation in Yangambi, Congo, using different Montana-type models. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 51, 239-253.
[15] Ozer P. 2014. Natural disasters and spatial planning: the value of Google Earth images in developing countries. International Review of Tropical Geology, Geography and Ecology 38 (1): 209-220.
[16] Saha F and Tchindjang M. 2017. Rainfall variability and floods occurrence in the city of Bamenda (Northwest of Cameroon). Present Environment and Sustainable Development, 11(1): 65-82.
[17] Saha F, Tchindjang M, Dzana J-G, Nguemadjita D. 2020. Natural hazards in the Far North region of Cameroon and dynamics of hydrological extremes of the Chari-Logone system. Physio-Geo 15: 69-88.
[18] Seiler,R.A ;Hayes, M., Bressan,L.(2002). Using the standard precipitation index for floods risk monitoring. International journal of climatology: A journal of the royal meteorological society,22(11),1365-1376
[19] Morid ,S., Smakhtin,V., Moghaddasi, M.(2006).Comparison of seven meteorological indices for drought monitoring in Iran. International journal of climatology: A journal of the royal meteorological society,26(7),971-985
[20] Tchindjang M. 2013. Mapping of natural hazards in Cameroon. Actes de la 26ème International Cartographic Conference (Dresde, Allemagne), Buchroithner MF. Édit. ICC, 13 p.
[21] Tsalefac M, Ngoufo R., Nkwambi W, Djoumessi TE, Lengue FB. 2003. Frequencies and quantities of daily precipitation on Cameroonian territory. Publication of the International Association of Climatology, 15: 59-367.
[22] Yengoh GT, Fogwe ZN, Armah FA. 2017. Floods in the Douala metropolis, Cameroon: attribution to changes in rainfall characteristics or planning failures? Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 60(2): 204-230.
[23] Zogning MMO, Tonye E, Ambara G, Tsalefack M. 2013. Cartography of flood prone areas and assessment of flooding housing in Douala (Cameroon). United Nations International Conference on "Disaster risk identification, assessment and monitoring.