Introduction
Sanitation is an obligation, a regulation for communes. It is an obligation that fits into the general legislative framework for the prohibition of water pollution and the channelling of rainwater. As a result, untreated wastewater and rainwater discharges degrade natural environments, render watercourses unfit for human use, and render homes uninhabitable. Bobo-Dioulasso, a city of culture and Burkina Faso’s second largest city, is a case in point. In this city, rainwater already reigns supreme.
Causes of flooding
Bobo-Dioulasso is not immune to flooding during the rainy season. These waters are not without consequences for the population, who are often victims of the damage caused. The main causes of flooding are linked to the lack of gutters in certain neighborhoods, and to the fact that the gutters are blocked by silting and human activity. In fact, there is no sustainable maintenance and follow-up of the gutter works to evacuate water so as to keep them in good working order. We need to provide services that respect the rights of the employees who will be responsible for monitoring and evacuating the sludge and other by-products of sewage treatment, to avoid inconveniences such as flooding and disease. Unfortunately, nothing concrete is being done to overcome this problem.
The consequences of mismanaged gutters
A torrential downpour hit the population of Bobolais a few months ago. This rain, which lasted five (05) hours, was not without consequences. It was unfortunate to see some people in the town of Sya faced with a water blockade, which prevented all traffic. This was the case for Kam Estelle, a resident of the Sarafalao district, who found herself submerged in her own house. She confides: “We were in bed when the rain started. After two hours of heavy rain, we noticed that the water was coming directly into the bedrooms. We immediately tried to evacuate the water, but the attempt was in vain, as the courtyard was already full of water.
On the roads, the water was also masterful. Zakaria tells us about his ordeal that night: “In the middle of traffic, I was desperately trying to get home in the rain. The current was too strong. I waited under a kiosk until the water subsided, and then I could finally go home.”
The solutions
For the time being, the population of the town of Sya is invited to be more vigilant and cautious during this winter season. If there’s a threat of rain, it’s best to stay at home and avoid going out. For those who are already outside, there’s no point in driving at high speed to get home, as this could cause accidents. This is frequently the case, with many serious accidents on the roads. Instead, seek shelter until the storm passes, and then return home. All the authorities in the various communes are called upon to find a solution to avoid the worst.
Conclusion
Access to water, hygiene and sanitation is a chronic problem. Burkina Faso generally suffers from climate change, recurrent drought, lack of adequate infrastructure and major disparities between urban and rural areas. If nothing is done, these floods could seriously slow down economic activities in the country’s so-called economic cities.
