Floods in DR Congo Capital Kill at Least 19, Provoking Urgent Infrastructure Concerns

At least 19 people have died in Kinshasa, DR Congo, due to severe flooding caused by heavy rains. The interior minister reported that casualties were primarily in the Ngaliema and Lemba communes, with over 500 homes flooded in Matete. Poor infrastructure and drainage systems exacerbate the risks, especially in low-income areas. Past incidents have shown a troubling trend in flooding-related fatalities and damage in the capital.

Flooding in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has resulted in at least 19 fatalities, as confirmed by a provincial minister on Saturday. The tragedy unfolded following heavy rains early in the morning, which led to significant inundation across various neighborhoods in the city, home to roughly 17 million residents. Images of the devastation have been circulating on social media, depicting submerged streets and homes.

Kinshasa province’s interior minister, Thierry Kabuya, reported that, “This evening, we have a provisional toll of 19 dead: 17 in the commune of Ngaliema and two in Lemba. Over 500 homes have been flooded in the commune of Matete.” He added that the flooding has also caused extensive material damage due to mudslides across the city. Flooding, unfortunately, is all too common in Kinshasa, which is located alongside the Congo River, Africa’s second-largest river, after the Nile.

The situation in Kinshasa has been exacerbated by poor maintenance and faulty infrastructure. Many of the drainage systems are clogged with waste, leading to ineffective water flow, particularly in the city’s poorer neighborhoods. Residents living in makeshift structures or in areas with unpaved streets are especially vulnerable to such disasters.

Kinshasa has seen similar tragedies in the past; in April, heavy rains resulted in nearly 30 fatalities. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that in 2024, approximately 6.9 million individuals in West and Central Africa were impacted by severe flooding and torrential rains. Such events highlight the pressing need for improved infrastructure and disaster preparedness in the region, as each heavy rain risk putting lives and homes in jeopardy.

In summary, the recent flooding in Kinshasa has resulted in significant loss of life and extensive damage, revealing ongoing vulnerabilities related to infrastructure inadequacies. As torrential rains continue to pose a threat, the call for improvements in drainage and urban planning has become more urgent than ever, especially in impoverished neighborhoods where the risk is heightened. With previous incidents indicating a pattern, it is clear that substantive action is required to safeguard residents from future disasters.

Original Source: www.bssnews.net