In Kinshasa, the capital of Congo, the number of casualties resulting from severe flooding that has isolated over half of the city has reached 33. Authorities are currently engaged in urgent efforts to evacuate and provide aid to hundreds of families who remain stranded in their homes.
According to Congolese Interior Minister Jacquemin Shabani, an additional ten people were confirmed dead by Sunday evening, adding to the 23 fatalities reported the previous day. Heavy rains that began last week led to the overflow of the Ndjili River on Friday, inundating a multitude of structures.
Although the situation showed signs of improvement by Monday morning, some roads were still obstructed, causing restricted vehicle movement. Many residents have criticized the government for its delayed response to the flood crisis.
“We’ve lost everything and had to abandon it all,” lamented Marie Nzola, who experienced property destruction. “The rain took us by surprise late in the night,” she added.
Government officials revealed on Sunday that a significant number of deaths were caused by collapsing walls shortly after the onset of the heavy rain.
The flooding damaged the primary roadway to the airport, which is also a crucial link between Kinshasa and the rest of the country. Nevertheless, Kinshasa Governor Daniel Bumba stated during the weekend that the road is expected to reopen within 72 hours.
The floods have further impacted access to clean water in at least 16 communes, as water facilities were adversely affected, according to a statement from the Congolese Interior Ministry.
In response to the crisis, the government has established a minimum of four emergency shelters currently accommodating hundreds of displaced families across the city.
One affected resident, Clément Matwidi, voiced his frustration, urging the government for more substantial support. “We have lost everything to the floods, and we are here waiting for the government’s decision,” Matwidi stated.
The city of Kinshasa experienced similar catastrophic flooding in 2022, which claimed the lives of at least 100 individuals.
This disaster occurs amidst a broader humanitarian crisis in the eastern region of the country, a location over 2,600 kilometers from Kinshasa. Here, a longstanding conflict with rebels has intensified since February, exacerbating what is recognized as one of the world’s most severe humanitarian emergencies.