Drone-based Landslide Risk Assessment In Cameroon

Mbankomo is a municipality, located in the Centre region of Cameroon and about 25 kms SouthWest of the Capital city Yaounde.

Cameroon's diverse landscape – encompassing flatlands, uplands and mountains – harbors both beauty and danger. The impact of climate change, manifesting in heavy rains, exacerbates the risk of deadly flooding and landslides in this terrain. In 2023 alone, a staggering 1300 flooding incidents were reported, and over the past four years, a recorded 102 people have lost their lives to landslides. As temperatures rise, so does the frequency of disasters such as these, wreaking havoc on life, infrastructure, and the environment.

Yaounde, the capital city, as well as its surroundings, is characterized by its mountainous terrain and thus faces heightened risk of landslides and flooding, particularly endangering the lives of communities living in the valleys and mountain slopes. Arising from population increase and rural exodus, rapid urbanization in these areas continues to exacerbate the problem as people settle in high-risk areas. Recent reported incidents underscored the urgency to equip decision-makers, local communities, and other stakeholders with the insights needed to mitigate these risks effectively.

While efforts have been made in the past to prevent flooding and landslides in high-risk areas, current methods of disaster prevention often fall short, producing inadequate insights into disaster propagation and impact – who and what will be affected and to what extent. Gaining this crucial information beforehand allows us to not only develop effective resettlement plans but also ensure the impacted communities are sufficiently prepared in the event of disaster. Drones emerge as a solution to this challenge, capable of accessing hard-to-reach areas and collecting valuable data within a short amount of time. The analysis and processing of these data provides us with information about the area’s vulnerability, which then enables local communities and authorities to make decisions and set up measures that will aid in disaster prevention and response.

Eager to contribute to solving this problem, Cameroon Flying Labs, supported by the Turning Data Into Action microgrant from WeRobotics, embarked on a pilot project to conduct drone-based aerial mapping in Mbankomo municipality. Nestled in the central region of Cameroon, Mbankomo lies approximately 25 kilometers southwest of Yaounde. The area’s relief makes it particularly susceptible to flooding and landslides, with a high rate of incidents reported, and as such we found it suitable as a test bed for risk assessment.

Stakeholder engagement served as the springboard for our project, providing a vital conduit for relationship building and collaboration. As it was our first venture into the disaster management sphere, it was essential for us to connect with relevant actors to establish buy-in and garner support for the integration of drone technology in disaster management in Cameroon. Our efforts culminated in a four-hour conference that brought together a diverse array of stakeholders, representing government entities, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector.  With a total of 14 stakeholders present, the conference served as a platform for Cameroon Flying Labs to illuminate the transformative potential of drones and data in disaster response and risk assessment.

Many of the stakeholders in attendance emerged from the event with a newfound appreciation for the utility of drone technology in mitigating disaster risks. However, lingering skepticism persisted, particularly regarding the challenges associated with obtaining flight authorization swiftly during critical moments of disaster response. Acknowledging these concerns, we recognized that it is critical to address regulatory hurdles to ensure seamless integration of drones in emergency operations.

Our engagement efforts extended to the local community in Mbankomo, where we liaised with the municipal authorities, including the Mayor and General Secretary. In this meeting, we unveiled our project and shared how drone technology and data analysis could empower decision-making in disaster management, urban planning, and potential resettlement initiatives. By fostering dialogue and sharing insights, we sought to forge a collaborative partnership with the local authorities, laying the groundwork for effective disaster preparedness and response measures in the event of landslides and flooding in the area.

We have recorded more than 30 cases of reported flooding with minor land collapsing during the rainy season last year. The number will keep rising as there is no strict regulation on land use here. People settle everywhere.

People lost their homes – the most lucky ones – because there is no means of effectively preventing those disasters.

Armed with a DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise RTK drone, Cameroon Flying Labs surveyed a 39.09-hectare area in Mbankomo. The drone's agility and high-quality imaging capabilities facilitated the collection of vital data. Subsequent processing and analysis generated 3D mesh and raster maps and an orthomosaic map, identifying high and medium-risk zones for mudslides in the event of heavy rains.

Among our key findings were the following:

• Over 50 households in the area mapped were directly at risk of landslides.
• Continued heavy rainfall threatens to further soften the ground, endangering nearby households.
• There is visible evidence of mudslides on certain slopes.

This project served as an invaluable learning experience for Cameroon Flying Labs, marking our inaugural foray into disaster risk assessment. While navigating uncharted territory, we encountered various challenges that underscored the importance of strategic planning and stakeholder engagement. Organizational hurdles led to initial delays in coordinating the conference with stakeholders, subsequently impacting project timelines. Additionally, scouting for a suitable flight location and obtaining the necessary authorizations proved to be formidable obstacles, emphasizing the need for streamlined protocols in collaboration with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). These challenges highlighted the crucial role of regulatory frameworks in harnessing drone technology to build sustainable and resilient communities.

Moreover, the project revealed the imperative of raising awareness among stakeholders, including local communities and authorities, about the manifold benefits of drone technology. Extensive efforts were dedicated to persuading local authorities of the utility of drones in disaster management and urban planning, emphasizing the value of educational initiatives in fostering acceptance of emerging technologies as tools for social good and paving the way for collaborations. At the same time, the experience was a welcome validation of Cameroon Flying Labs’ strategic focus on working with government agencies, among other institutions,  to enhance the capacity of their personnel in leveraging drone and data tools  to undertake their mandates more efficiently. 

Amidst these challenges, a pivotal lesson emerged: the importance of resilience and forward momentum. Despite initial setbacks, the project instilled a spirit of perseverance, compelling us to forge ahead even in the face of uncertainty. Embracing a culture of action and continuous learning, we seized the opportunity to adapt and evolve, using setbacks as catalysts for growth. Moving forward, we are poised to embrace a culture of action and continuous learning, adapting to circumstances as needed and integrating the lessons gleaned from this endeavor into future initiatives.

1. Heightened awareness and acceptance: The project has sparked a profound shift in local stakeholders’ perception of drone technology's role in disaster management. As a result of our outreach initiatives, the local authorities of Mbankomo now grasp the critical importance of drones in preparedness, response, and mitigation efforts. They recognize drones not just as futuristic gadgets but as invaluable tools for safeguarding lives and property.
2. Connection and collaboration: The project has established connections that will serve as a catalyst for greater collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including local government agencies and local communities. The stakeholder conference also provided a platform for robust dialogue, enabling the exchange of ideas and best practices in disaster management. 
3. Informed decision-making: The creation of a detailed risk map, categorizing locations in the vicinity of landslide-prone areas into low, medium, and high-risk zones, promises to enhance decision-making processes. The maps generated will serve as invaluable resources for local authorities, urban planners, and community members alike to prioritize resources suitably for effective disaster response.
4. Increased expertise: For Cameroon Flying Labs, the project served as a crucible for honing our expertise in drone-based disaster management. The mapping mission offered us invaluable learning opportunities to not only refine our  skills in data collection, analysis, and interpretation but in drone project management as well.  

In essence, the project's impact extends far beyond the mere acquisition of data and represents a shift in how communities perceive and harness technology to confront threats. 

Building upon the immediate outcomes achieved through this project, we anticipate a cascade of long-term impacts that will shape the landscape of disaster management in Cameroon. As knowledge of the essential role of drones proliferates, increased collaboration will evolve into sustained partnerships between local communities, government entities, international organizations, and other stakeholders, thus unifying efforts to safeguard life and fortify resilience against the ever-present threat of natural disasters.

This Story Map, crafted by Cameroon Flying Labs with the financial and technical support of WeRobotics, illuminates the pivotal role of drone technology in disaster management. Through community engagement and drone data collection, we developed a picture of the disaster risk faced by the people of Mbankomo municipality. Our pilot project provided data-driven insights that can be used to safeguard vulnerable populations and mitigate the impact of future flood and landslide disasters, representing a step forward in realizing our vision of improving the social life of local communities in Cameroon with drones, robotics, and AI. 

We extend our deep gratitude to WeRobotics for their unwavering support and dedication and to the local leaders for collaborating with us to showcase the value of drone-based mapping in landslide prevention and response. We are one step closer to realizing a safer, more resilient Cameroon.