Death Toll from Flooding in Kinshasa Reaches 33 Amid Ongoing Rescue Efforts

Flooding in Kinshasa has resulted in 33 deaths, with ongoing evacuation efforts for hundreds of trapped families. Heavy rains caused the Ndjili River to overflow, damaging infrastructure and access to clean water. Residents express frustration over government response, and existing humanitarian issues exacerbate the crisis.

The recent flooding in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has led to a tragic death toll of 33 individuals, with ongoing rescue efforts for hundreds of families trapped in their homes. Congolese Interior Minister Jacquemin Shabani confirmed ten additional fatalities on Sunday, contributing to the 23 reported the previous day. Heavy rainfall initiated last week caused the Ndjili River to overflow on Friday, inundating numerous buildings.

By Monday morning, although the situation showed signs of improvement, several access roads remained obstructed, causing continued traffic limitations. Many residents have expressed their dissatisfaction with government response times to the disaster. Marie Nzola, whose property was significantly affected, lamented, “We lost everything and left everything behind. The rain caught us by surprise late at night.”

Most fatalities resulted from wall collapses shortly after the flooding began, according to officials. Governor Daniel Bumba’s announcement noted that the main road to the airport, crucial for linking Kinshasa with the rest of the country, suffered damage but is expected to reopen within 72 hours. Accessibility to drinking water is also compromised in 16 communes due to the impacts on water facilities, as noted in a statement from the interior ministry.

The government has established at least four emergency shelters accommodating hundreds of displaced families. Resident Clement Matwidi voiced his frustration, stating, “Everything is lost due to the floods (and) we are here waiting for the government’s decision.” In previous incidents in 2022, flooding in Kinshasa resulted in at least 100 fatalities.

This natural disaster occurs amid the government’s struggle with a humanitarian crisis in the eastern regions of the country, where fighting with rebels has intensified, worsening one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.

In summary, the recent flooding in Kinshasa has resulted in a significant loss of life and displacement. The government has initiated rescue operations and established emergency shelters, yet many residents criticize the timeliness of the responses. The effects of the disaster extend beyond immediate fatalities, affecting infrastructure and access to basic necessities. This tragedy underscores the need for improved disaster preparedness and response mechanisms amid ongoing humanitarian challenges in other regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Original Source: www.breakingnews.ie