Heavy rains have caused devastating floods in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, resulting in the deaths of at least 33 people. The flooding, which began overnight from Friday into Saturday, has left many residents struggling to find safety, with reports of people wading or paddling through the rising waters in makeshift canoes.
President Félix Tshisekedi addressed the nation, assuring victims that the government would provide support. He convened a crisis meeting to respond to the disaster. The floods have particularly impacted the outskirts of the city and poorer neighborhoods, where homes have been swept away. One resident, Christophe Bola, described the water reaching as high as 1.5 meters, trapping many individuals inside their homes.
Kinshasa, which is home to around 17 million people, has a history of flooding, and recent rainfall has pushed the Congo River to its highest levels in sixty years. Approximately half of the city’s 26 districts have been affected. Many residents have expressed frustration with the government’s slow response, calling for more immediate help.
The floods have also disrupted access to clean water, as treatment facilities have been inundated. Key roads, including the main route to the international airport, are now impassable. The N’djili River, a tributary of the Congo, has overflowed, further complicating the situation for those living nearby.
As the city grapples with these challenges, the national meteorological agency has warned of more heavy rains in the coming weeks, raising concerns about the potential for further flooding. The government has previously acknowledged that climate change is worsening these weather events and has promised to address long-standing issues related to urban planning and sewage management.
Residents are now left to cope with the aftermath of this disaster, hoping for swift action from authorities as they face ongoing challenges.