Floods in Kinshasa, DR Congo, Kill at Least 19 Amid Torrential Rains

Torrential rains in Kinshasa have led to at least 19 deaths and over 500 homes flooded, according to provincial minister Thierry Kabuya. The flooding highlights ongoing issues related to inadequate infrastructure and urban planning, especially in poorer neighborhoods. The region has a history of deadly flooding, with previous incidents causing significant casualties.

Heavy flooding caused by relentless rains in Kinshasa, the bustling capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has resulted in at least 19 fatalities, according to provincial minister Thierry Kabuya. The floods, which emerged swiftly on Saturday morning, engulfed numerous neighborhoods in this city of approximately 17 million residents. Images circulating on social media depict the dramatic impacts of the flooding, which has left many areas submerged underwater.

Kabuya noted that, as of that evening, the provisional death toll comprised 17 individuals from Ngaliema and two from Lemba. Furthermore, he indicated that over 500 homes in the Matete commune had been inundated, leading to significant destruction. “This evening we have a provisional toll of 19 dead: 17 in the commune of Ngaliema and two in Lemba and more than 500 homes flooded in the commune of Matete,” the minister stated during an interview with AFP.

The city of Kinshasa is notoriously plagued by flooding, due in part to its location by the Congo River, which is the second-largest in Africa. A lack of proper maintenance and ineffective sewer systems has resulted in many drainage pipes being choked with debris, particularly impacting the poorer sections of the city. Residents living in makeshift dwellings with unpaved streets face heightened vulnerabilities during such disasters.

This is not the first time heavy rains have wreaked havoc in the capital; in April, severe downpours claimed around 30 lives. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that about 6.9 million individuals across west and central Africa experienced similar effects from torrential rains and flooding last year. The situation in Kinshasa underscores the dire need for improvements in urban infrastructure and disaster preparedness to mitigate the impacts of future floods.

The recent floods in Kinshasa have tragically resulted in 19 deaths, underscoring a persistent vulnerability that residents face due to ineffective drainage systems. With more than 500 homes affected, the need for urban infrastructure improvement is stark. As heavy rains continue to pose threats to cities like Kinshasa, the urgency for effective solutions becomes ever more critical. Past incidents of flooding within the capital only highlight the severity of this ongoing crisis.

Original Source: www.bssnews.net