KINSHASA, DR CONGO — Torrential rains and subsequent flooding have claimed the lives of at least 33 people in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to official reports.
Residents, facing perilous conditions, are resorting to wading, swimming, and utilizing makeshift canoes to escape the rising floodwaters.
Kinshasa, a sprawling city of 17 million inhabitants, is situated along the Congo River, one of the world’s largest rivers, which traverses the country. The city is highly susceptible to flooding, with the river recently reaching its highest level in six decades.
Contributing factors include soil erosion in certain areas of the capital, and as Congolese President has previously warned, the escalating climate crisis is exacerbating these flooding events.
The overnight flooding from Friday into Saturday resulted in the destruction of numerous homes in western Kinshasa. Approximately half of the city’s 26 districts have been affected, as reported by the city’s mayor, who confirmed the deployment of search and rescue teams.
The most severely impacted areas are the city’s outskirts and its impoverished neighborhoods.
“The water has reached 1.5 metres high. We have just managed to save ourselves, the rest is trapped in our homes,” Christophe Bola, a resident of the Ndanu area, told this publication.
Local residents have expressed their frustration and anger toward the authorities, alleging a delayed response and insufficient assistance.
The floods have also triggered widespread water shortages throughout Kinshasa, as water treatment pumps have been submerged.
Key transportation arteries, including the city’s busiest road connecting the city center to the international airport and portions of the motorway linking the capital to the main port of Matadi, have become impassable.
Deputy President Jacquemain Shabani stated on Sunday that the N’djili River, a tributary of the Congo River, has overflowed, trapping numerous residents.
This river is known to be heavily polluted, with Congolese scientists reporting high levels of fecal matter and other waste.
Kinshasa’s inadequate sewage maintenance and lack of effective urban planning have contributed to the severity of the situation.
Despite the government’s announcement of plans last year to address these long-standing issues, the city remains vulnerable.
Further heavy downpours are anticipated in northern and northeastern DR Congo in the coming days, potentially exacerbating the already dire situation.
