At Least 62 Dead, 50 Missing After Severe Floods Strike Eastern Congo

Severe floods in eastern Congo’s South Kivu province have claimed at least 62 lives with 50 missing. The crisis is exacerbated by ongoing armed conflict and previous flooding incidents. Rescue efforts face significant hindrances as local officials work to respond to the tragedy.

At least 62 individuals have tragically lost their lives due to severe flooding in eastern Congo’s South Kivu province, with an additional 50 persons reported missing. This information was disclosed by officials on Saturday following the flooding incident that occurred early Friday morning, around 5 a.m. local time, affecting multiple villages near Lake Tanganyika.

Witnesses described the incident as a catastrophic event, noting how heavy rains caused rivers to overflow and flood the village of Kasaba in the Ngandja sector. The torrents not only engulfed homes but also disrupted communication lines, hampering relief efforts. Local authorities are grappling with the aftermath as they try to coordinate search operations in the face of this devastation.

The search and rescue initiatives are experiencing significant challenges, as highlighted by South Kivu provincial health minister, Theophile Walulika Muzaliwa. “Sector chiefs, village chiefs and locality chiefs, who are also members of the local government, are on site. The only humanitarian organization currently present is the Red Cross. It is not possible to give an assessment as body searches are continuing,” Muzaliwa stated in a telephone interview with Arab News.

This tragic flooding comes shortly after a similar weather event in Kinshasa, the national capital, where 33 lives were reported lost due to flooding just weeks earlier. Adding to the complexity, the infrastructure throughout the country has faced severe damages, and this recent disaster has come amidst ongoing armed conflicts.

The situation is deteriorating further due to escalating violence between government forces and various armed groups since February. The United Nations has characterized this chaos as one of the direst humanitarian crises globally, compounded by the flooding disasters. The region desperately needs humanitarian aid, yet the ongoing conflict complicates relief work and further isolates the affected communities.

In summary, the devastating floods in eastern Congo have led to a significant loss of life and left many missing, while rescue efforts remain severely impeded by infrastructure damage and ongoing conflict. The humanitarian crisis in the region is worsening as the community grapples with the impacts of both natural and man-made disasters, highlighting an urgent need for coordinated relief efforts amidst these challenges.

Original Source: www.aa.com.tr