The rainy season started several weeks ago in Chad. Torrential downpours and floods hit the country. No official report to determine the number of victims has been drawn up for the moment. An interministerial meeting was held last week to try to find solutions. Meanwhile, in Ndjamena, residents live in fear of further heavy rains.
With our correspondent in Ndjamena, Aurélie Bazzara-Kibangula
In the el-Gazas district, the inhabitants live with their feet in the water. Flip-flops in hand and pants rolled up, Haroune walks the flooded streets. ” We can’t drive! It’s impossible, the water exceeds the knees “, he comments. His house is also in the water. He had to evacuate his family. ” If there are more rains, the house will fall. We are at risk “says Haroune.
In the neighborhood, residents are organizing, fearing new rains. Ibrahim Souleymane scans the sky, worried: “ There are clouds, for sure it will rain by evening. The water will rise further and destroy all quarters. Here, we are getting the water out with the pump… »
A little further, Ahmat, he appealed to young people in the neighborhood. His goal: to barricade his shop to prevent water from entering. ” We bring dumpsters filled with sand, bags… We need to compact everything to avoid big risks. You see, the cracks in the house? She is also in danger of collapsing. We’re on our own, we can’t fold our arms and wait “, he explains.
In Ndjamena, at least 17,000 people have been affected by flooding since the start of the rainy season, according to the United Nations.