The South West Region was battered by torrential rains on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, with two major emergencies unfolding in separate divisions. While a deadly landslide in Mbende Quarter, Limbe, Fako Division, claimed the lives of three members of the same family and left an elderly resident injured, a swift and coordinated rescue operation in Kumba, Meme Division, prevented another potential tragedy.
As floodwaters rapidly engulfed parts of Kumba Town, Malabo Quarter, Meta Quarter and Tchako Street from about 2:30 p.m., the 206th Fire Company, backed by the army rescue unit and other emergency responders, was immediately deployed to the affected neighbourhoods.
The rescue mission lasted nearly eight hours, ending at around 10:00 p.m. By then, emergency teams had rescued 22 people trapped by the rising waters and evacuated about 100 residents to safer locations. They also assisted families in recovering valuable belongings before homes were completely flooded.
One of the most dramatic rescues involved three people who had climbed onto the roof of a house surrounded by floodwaters. Rescue personnel safely brought them to safety. In another incident, a resident who was bitten by a snake during the flooding was evacuated to the Kumba Regional Annex Hospital for treatment.
The outcome in Kumba stood in sharp contrast to events unfolding the same day in Limbe, where relentless rains triggered a landslide that buried a home in Mbende Quarter, killing three members of the same family, including a pregnant woman. An elderly survivor was rescued with injuries and is reported to be out of danger.
Although the two emergencies occurred in different divisions, Limbe in Fako and Kumba in Meme, they painted a stark picture of the destructive impact of the heavy rains across the South West Region of Cameroon. They also demonstrated the life-saving value of a rapid emergency response.
The professionalism and swift intervention of the army rescue unit, firefighters, and supporting emergency teams in Kumba ensured that what could have become another deadly disaster ended instead with dozens of lives saved. Their efforts undoubtedly prevented the flooding from escalating into a tragedy comparable to the one that struck Limbe.
With the rainy season continuing, authorities are urging residents in flood-prone areas to remain alert, follow official safety advisories, and evacuate early whenever flood risks increase.
@Laarry Times
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