The search is ongoing for a 9-month-old baby, Precious Ashandanyu, who is still unaccounted for following the heavy rains that struck Bamenda on Tuesday, September 17th, 2024. The devastating event occurred when heavy rains led to flash flooding in the Sisia 3 neighbourhood, resulting in the loss of the infant.
Witnesses recounted how the events unfolded “As the rain poured down, I observed the elder sister emerging with the 9-month-old baby in her arms,” a neighbour told MMI. “Before I could enquire about their destination, she lost her footing, and the swift current carried them off. I shouted, and other residents rushed to assist.”
Many people came out and joined in the rescue mission which resulted in them finding the adult, but not the infant.
“We managed to rescue the sister, Sakinatu, but we are still searching for Precious,” another neighbour said.
Residents started a search on Tuesday, and on September 18th, they made a second attempt. Regrettably, Precious is still unaccounted for at the time of this report.
This incident is just one of the many cases of people getting lost during torrential rains. In 2023 alone, many deaths were recorded following torrential rains in Buea, Bamenda, Limbe and Douala. In the recent case of Bamenda however, it is down to insufficient infrastructure and neglect by the authorities. The connection between the Sisia 3 and Sisia 4 neighbourhoods relies on a precarious wooden bridge, a structure that faces significant risk during periods of heavy rainfall. A new bridge is under construction by the Bamenda 3 Council, yet it remains unfinished and poses safety concerns for residents of the two neighbourhoods.
The ongoing search for Precious highlights a pressing issue: the critical need for improved infrastructure to safeguard residents against future tragedies.
