Cameroon's Far North grapples with severe flooding, disrupted daily life

Nearly a month after torrential rains hit Cameroon's Far North province, the town of Yagoua remains largely submerged, with residents struggling to cope with the persistent flooding.

The flooding caused by weeks of heavy rainfall has displaced thousands of families and destroyed swathes of farmland.

Local authorities in the Far North have launched an emergency flood appeal.

"There's no way for the water to get out. So the water is at the same level, even if you try hard to get it out, it always comes back to the same place. So we've been in water for three weeks, as you can see. Even in the kitchen there's water, so we can't put anything on the fire. For those who don't have a fence, the water level carries everything away, even the pots," said Vougsouna Robert, a victim.

The floods have rendered many roads impassable, forcing residents to rely on small boats, known locally as pirogues, for transportation.

A key bridge connecting the city's main districts has collapsed, further complicating movement.

The natural disaster also disrupted learning, as dozens of schools are unable to reopen. With the start of a new school year, pupils have been moved to the schools that are still functioning.

The prefect of the Mayo-Danay division, Jean Lazare Ndongo, said that they are taking measures to ensure the safety of the pupils who have to cross to the other side where their schools are.

Students now face a challenging daily commute, often involving truck rides followed by boat crossings to reach their schools.

"The tarmac has given way to water, and wherever you see the vessels going by, that's where the main road is. We do our best to cross these tides of water to get to our places of service. It's not easy but as it's back to school we have no choice. We have to go and look after our children and little brothers on the other side," said Fawa Jean Jacque, a teacher.

In the meantime, resettlement sites are being created for families who have lost their homes.

Cameroon's Far North grapples with severe flooding, disrupted daily life

The delegation of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the Chinse People's Armed Police Force to the third session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, held group meetings to review the government work report on Wednesday afternoon in Beijing.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivered the government work report on behalf of the State Council at the opening meeting of the third session of the 14th NPC at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday morning.

Zhang Youxia, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), said that the extraordinary achievements made by the Party, the country and the military over the past year have proved that no difficulties or obstacles can stop China from advancing the historical process of national rejuvenation.

He stressed that the entire military forces must focus on achieving the centenary goal of the PLA, comprehensively enhance the military's capability to fight and win, and accelerate the advancement of the modernization of national defense and armed forces.

He Weidong, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice chairman of the CMC, said that under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee, China has made new solid strides forward in advancing Chinese modernization, urging the whole military to strengthen military training and combat readiness, promote the implementation of plans, unswervingly enforce discipline while combating corruption to achieve the centenary goal of the PLA.

Military delegation to NPC annual session reviews gov't work report