The community of Dunoon is grappling with severe flooding after two days of relentless rainfall submerged homes and displaced residents. Local leaders now point to an overflowing quarry owned by the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Department as a major factor in the disaster, raising concerns that further rainfall could worsen the crisis.
Homes Submerged, Lives Upended
The heavy downpour has left a trail of destruction, with approximately 150 residents already affected—a number that continues to rise. At the heart of the flooding is a nearby quarry that has filled to capacity, spilling water into surrounding homes.
Authorities acknowledge that quarries naturally collect water during heavy rains, but the situation has been exacerbated by illegal settlements built on and around the quarry over the years.
“The infrastructure meant to drain water is now buried beneath illegally constructed homes,” explained a city official. “To carry out major repairs, we would need to decant the quarry and relocate residents to access underground services.”
Residents Take Desperate Measures
Some residents have resorted to extreme measures to protect their homes, while others say flooding has been a persistent issue since the start of winter.
“It could have been prevented,” one frustrated resident said. “They could have used sandbags, created drainage channels—anything. But there’s no disaster plan in place, whether for floods or fires.”
Calls for Immediate Action
With more rain possible, officials have advised residents near the quarry to elevate their homes to mitigate further damage. However, many are demanding long-term solutions, including proper urban planning and emergency preparedness.
As Dunoon struggles to recover, the flooding has exposed deeper issues of infrastructure neglect and unauthorized land occupation—leaving the community vulnerable to future disasters.
