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
People across Iran took to the streets on Friday to mark International Quds Day, an annual event expressing support for Palestinians and condemnation of Israeli actions.
Several high-ranking Iranian officials also took part in the rallies in Tehran, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Larijani, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei as well as cabinet ministers, such as Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.
The event, established by Iran in 1979, is observed on the final Friday of the fasting month of Ramadan. This year, it fell on March 13 and amid the ongoing U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran.
In the capital, people marched from 10 different locations towards the iconic Enghelab Square in central Tehran, while waving Iran's flags and holding pictures of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his successor, Mojtaba Khamenei.
The marchers condemned the "crimes" committed by the United States and Israel, voiced their support for the Iranian armed forces, and pledged allegiance to the new supreme leader.
According to the official news agency IRNA, Tehran's central areas near the rally path came under U.S. and Israeli airstrikes in the early minutes of the gathering, killing at least one person. Addressing reporters after the strikes, Larijani said the attacks are "out of fear and desperation."
Araghchi said despite the attacks today, millions of people have taken part in the rallies across Iran, which shows "the Iranians' firm determination and will in supporting" the country.
On Feb 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded by launching waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the Middle East.
Iran's Assembly of Experts on Sunday announced the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran's new supreme leader.
Iranians hold mass rallies to mark Quds Day amid U.S.-Israeli attacks
