Floods In Kinshasa Claim Lives, Displace Thousands
CONGO – Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, is reeling from devastating floods that have claimed 33 lives and displaced thousands.
During his address yesterday, President Félix Tshisekedi reassured citizens, saying, “The republic will not abandon you,” as the government responded to the crisis.
Torrential rains, which began on Friday and lasted through Saturday, raised water levels to nearly five feet, forcing residents to flee.
The flooding also caused extensive damage to water treatment pumps, leading to a critical shortage of clean drinking water.
The flooding intensified as the N’djili River, a tributary of the Congo River, overflowed its banks.
Known for its heavy pollution, including high levels of waste and fecal matter, the N’djili’s floodwaters have submerged entire neighborhoods.
Christophe Bola, a resident of Ndanu, described the dire situation: “The water has risen to 1.5 meters. We managed to escape, but everything else is trapped in our home.”
The city has also suffered significant disruptions, with its main road to the airport and key sections of the motorway rendered impassable.
Kinshasa’s flooding crisis has been exacerbated by years of neglect and inadequate urban planning.
According to the BBC, the city suffers from poor sewage maintenance and ineffective infrastructure. Despite government pledges last year to address these issues, progress has been slow.
The Daily Express reported that more heavy rains are expected in the coming weeks, worsening the outlook.
Goma, an eastern city still recovering from conflict, is also bracing for severe downpours.
As Kinshasa and its residents work to recover, the situation remains precarious, with inadequate infrastructure threatening to deepen the crisis.
Relief efforts, including temporary shelters and clean water distribution, are ongoing, but the risk of further devastation looms large as the city braces for more rainfall.
