Authors : Siyir Kinyuy Jocien; Usongo Patience Ajonina; Oumarou Toumba

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 3 - March

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/yph62c53

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/2wuzfaa6

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26mar1333

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Abstract : Landslides are known to occur in many cities of Cameroon, particularly in Yaoundé, where rapid urban growth, changing weather patterns, and difficult terrain act as predisposing factors to landslides. Although several deadly landslides have been recorded in recent years, there has not been much detailed research on where and why these landslides occur. This paper examines the spatial distribution of landslides in Yaoundé's Mfoundi Division and the main drivers of these events. A mixed research method, including field surveys, GPS mapping, questionnaires with 250 residents from six subdivisions (Yaoundé II–VII), group discussions with community members, rainfall data from 2015 to 2024 (ONACC/CERES-NASA), and binary logistic regression analysis, was used. The results show that landslides have become more frequent, especially after 2019. Yearly rainfall varies (from 1,311 to 1,728 mm), and heavy rain in October and November often matches up with landslide events. Respondents identified the main causes of landslides to be rainfall (80%), poor land-use planning (62%), settlement growth (52%), and deforestation (50%). The statistical analysis showed that poor land-use planning (OR = 2.22, p = 0.013) and deforestation (OR = 2.21, p = 0.018) are significant anthropogenic drivers of landslides in Yaoundé. These results indicate that landslides in Yaoundé are shaped by heavy rain, unplanned settlement expansion, and weak government policies. To reduce the risk, there is an urgent need for better land-use planning, slope protection, and the use of modern early warning systems that involve the community.

Keywords : Landslides; Urban Geohazards; Spatial Patterns; Anthropogenic Drivers; Yaoundé; Cameroon.

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