A pregnant woman has died after severe flooding swept through Douala, Cameroon’s economic capital, following heavy rainfall.
The woman died from electrocution as floodwaters affected neighbourhoods across the city.
Heavy rain caused extensive flooding in Douala’s fifth district, leaving roads submerged and disrupting movement across parts of the city.
Cameroon’s meteorological service has warned that even heavier rainfall could follow in the coming days.
Douala floods leave pregnant woman dead
The woman was found dead early on Friday morning, according to residents.
Firefighters later removed her body.
Africanews, reporting from Douala, said neighbours discovered the woman after they were unable to contact her.
Authorities have not provided further details about the circumstances surrounding her death.
Heavy rain floods homes and roads
Residents said floodwaters entered homes during the early hours of the morning.
One resident told Africanews that water had already reached knee level when he woke at around 2am.
It continued rising and reached thigh level as he moved through his home.
The flooding also caused major disruption on Douala’s roads.
Motorists and pedestrians struggled to reach the city centre.
Some drivers were forced to turn back, while others waited for hours for water levels to allow them to continue their journeys.
Full extent of damage remains unclear
The total scale of the damage has not yet been established.
However, residents reported significant flooding across parts of Cameroon’s largest city.
Douala is the country’s main commercial centre and one of Central Africa’s largest cities.
Flooding regularly presents challenges during periods of intense rainfall, particularly in low-lying parts of the city.
Authorities are still assessing the latest damage.
More heavy rain could hit Douala
Cameroon’s meteorological service has warned residents to prepare for further rainfall.
Forecasters said even heavier rain could affect the area in the coming days.
The warning raises concerns about additional flooding as residents and authorities begin assessing the damage from the latest downpour.