Flooding in Kinshasa Leaves 33 Dead, Government Response Criticized

Flooding in Kinshasa leads to 33 deaths; authorities evacuate families and face road access issues. Residents criticize government response. Emergency shelters established for the displaced. Government also addressing a humanitarian crisis in the eastern region of the country.

The flooding in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has resulted in a death toll of 33, with authorities urgently working to evacuate families trapped by the disaster. Interior Minister Jacquemin Shabani reported on state television that as of Sunday evening, ten additional fatalities had been confirmed, bringing the total to 33 after an initial count of 23 the day before.

The heavy rainfall that commenced last week caused the Ndjili River to overflow on Friday, submerging numerous buildings. As of Monday morning, although conditions had improved, many access roads remained obstructed and traffic flow was limited. Residents expressed frustration with the government’s response, citing insufficient action in the face of the disaster.

Marie Nzola, a local resident, lamented her losses, stating, “We lost everything and left everything behind. The rain caught us by surprise late at night.” Additionally, officials noted that many deaths resulted from collapsing walls soon after the flooding started.

Governor Daniel Bumba reported that the main road leading to the airport sustained damage but is expected to be operational within 72 hours. The flooding has also affected drinking water accessibility for at least 16 communes due to damaged water facilities, according to the interior ministry.

In response to the crisis, the government has established at least four emergency shelters to accommodate hundreds of displaced families. Affected resident Clement Matwidi expressed his despair, urging the government for greater support by stating, “Everything is lost due to the floods (and) we are here waiting for the government’s decision.”

This disaster mirrors previous flooding incidents, with over 100 deaths reported in Kinshasa in 2022. Meanwhile, the government is concurrently addressing a humanitarian crisis in the eastern region of the country, which has been exacerbated by ongoing conflict with rebels since February, aggravating one of the world’s largest humanitarian emergencies.

The recent flooding in Kinshasa has tragically resulted in 33 fatalities, highlighting the urgent need for government intervention and support for affected residents. As recovery efforts continue, officials face the challenge of restoring access and providing essential services while managing parallel humanitarian crises throughout the country. This catastrophic event underscores the vulnerabilities present within Kinshasa and the necessity for improved disaster preparedness.

Original Source: www.breakingnews.ie