As Kinshasa grapples with severe flooding and heavy rainfall, the impact has claimed numerous lives and left many more struggling for resources.
Torrential Rains Devastate Kinshasa, Leaving 33 Dead
Torrential Rains Devastate Kinshasa, Leaving 33 Dead
Catastrophic flooding forces residents to seek shelter as government responds to crisis
The capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kinshasa, has been hit hard by torrential rains, resulting in at least 33 fatalities, per official reports. President Félix Tshisekedi assured the afflicted on Monday, asserting that the government would not abandon those affected and convening a crisis meeting to address the alarming situation.
Residents of the densely populated city, which is home to approximately 17 million people, are now attempting perilous escapes from the floodwaters, utilizing makeshift canoes or swimming through dangerously high waters. The Congo River, one of the largest in the world, runs through Kinshasa and recently reached its highest levels in 60 years, exacerbating the flooding issues that plague the region.
Many homes, particularly in the impoverished outskirts of the city, were swept away in the inundation that occurred overnight from Friday into Saturday. Roughly half of Kinshasa's 26 districts are reported to be affected, prompting mayoral declarations of emergency and the deployment of search and rescue teams to assist with relief efforts.
Local resident Christophe Bola from the Ndanu neighborhood shared his ordeal with AFP, describing how floodwaters reached heights of 1.5 meters, leaving many of his neighbors trapped in their homes. Frustration among citizens is palpable, with accusations against authorities for their slow response and inadequate resource distribution.
In addition to the loss of life and homes, the floods have led to water shortages across much of Kinshasa, as water treatment facilities were damaged. Key infrastructures, like the main road linking the city center to the international airport, are now impassable due to the flooding.
According to Deputy President Jacquemain Shabani, the N'djili River, known for its pollution issues, has burst its banks and caused significant distress to residents in the surrounding neighborhoods. Kinshasa has long struggled with poor sewage maintenance and inadequate urban planning, issues the government previously pledged to address.
Forecasters anticipate further heavy rainfall in Kinshasa and other areas of the country, including Goma, which has been affected by conflict earlier this year. The national meteorological agency has warned of additional severe weather conditions that could compound the challenges faced by the beleaguered citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Residents of the densely populated city, which is home to approximately 17 million people, are now attempting perilous escapes from the floodwaters, utilizing makeshift canoes or swimming through dangerously high waters. The Congo River, one of the largest in the world, runs through Kinshasa and recently reached its highest levels in 60 years, exacerbating the flooding issues that plague the region.
Many homes, particularly in the impoverished outskirts of the city, were swept away in the inundation that occurred overnight from Friday into Saturday. Roughly half of Kinshasa's 26 districts are reported to be affected, prompting mayoral declarations of emergency and the deployment of search and rescue teams to assist with relief efforts.
Local resident Christophe Bola from the Ndanu neighborhood shared his ordeal with AFP, describing how floodwaters reached heights of 1.5 meters, leaving many of his neighbors trapped in their homes. Frustration among citizens is palpable, with accusations against authorities for their slow response and inadequate resource distribution.
In addition to the loss of life and homes, the floods have led to water shortages across much of Kinshasa, as water treatment facilities were damaged. Key infrastructures, like the main road linking the city center to the international airport, are now impassable due to the flooding.
According to Deputy President Jacquemain Shabani, the N'djili River, known for its pollution issues, has burst its banks and caused significant distress to residents in the surrounding neighborhoods. Kinshasa has long struggled with poor sewage maintenance and inadequate urban planning, issues the government previously pledged to address.
Forecasters anticipate further heavy rainfall in Kinshasa and other areas of the country, including Goma, which has been affected by conflict earlier this year. The national meteorological agency has warned of additional severe weather conditions that could compound the challenges faced by the beleaguered citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
