Torrential Rains Devastate Kinshasa: Rising Waters Claim Lives

Floods wreak havoc in Kinshasa, with residents desperately seeking safety amid rising waters and inadequate government response.

Torrential rain and subsequent flooding have claimed the lives of at least 33 individuals in Kinshasa, the bustling capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Officials report that the city's 17 million residents are navigating treacherous conditions as they attempt to escape floods, which have reached astonishing levels due to recent downpours. The Congo River, one of the largest rivers in the world and bordering the city, has recently recorded its highest water levels in 60 years.

Numerous districts in Kinshasa are experiencing severe flooding, with the west side hit particularly hard, where entire homes were swept away during the night from Friday to Saturday. Approximately half of the city’s 26 districts are impacted, prompting the mayor to mobilize search and rescue teams.

Residents in the Ndanu area, where floodwaters have risen to 1.5 meters, express their fear and frustration. "We were barely able to save ourselves; the rest are trapped in our homes," local inhabitant Christophe Bola stated to AFP. Many residents are outraged over what they perceive as a slow governmental response, claiming authorities have failed to provide sufficient aid in the wake of this natural disaster.

The flooding has caused widespread disruptions beyond loss of life, with water treatment facilities submerged, leaving many in Kinshasa without access to clean water. Major routes connecting the city center to the international airport are now impassable, isolating the capital from vital transportation links including the motorway to the important port city of Matadi.

Deputy President Jacquemain Shabani noted that the N'djili River, a tributary of the Congo, has overflowed, worsening the situation for many residents. This river has long been tainted by pollution, raising health concerns among scientists regarding the high levels of waste. The government previously announced initiatives last year to address their chronic sewage maintenance issues, but substantial improvements have yet to be seen.

As the situation remains dire, forecasters predict continued heavy rains will impact northern and northeastern areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the days ahead.