Tragic Flooding in Kinshasa Claims 33 Lives as Responses Fall Short

Flooding in Kinshasa, DR Congo, has resulted in 33 deaths as authorities work to evacuate families. Many residents criticize the government for inadequate response. Infrastructure has been damaged, impacting water access and transportation. Emergency shelters have been established for displaced individuals. Previous similar incidents raised concerns about ongoing humanitarian issues in the region.

Severe flooding in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has resulted in a death toll of 33 as authorities strive to evacuate hundreds of families trapped in their homes. Following heavy rains that commenced last week, the Ndjili River overflowed on Friday, inundating numerous buildings. Congolese Interior Minister Jacquemin Shabani confirmed the increase in fatalities, attributing many deaths to unexpectedly collapsing walls due to the deluge.

As of Monday morning, although conditions slightly improved, blocked access roads continued to hinder traffic. Residents expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s response to the emergency, emphasizing that rapid action was lacking. “We lost everything and left everything behind,” lamented Marie Nzola, who faced significant property loss.

Infrastructural damage also impacted key transport routes, including the main road to the airport, which will reportedly reopen within 72 hours, according to Kinshasa Governor Daniel Bumba. Furthermore, the flooding impaired access to potable water across 16 communes after local water facilities were affected.

The government has initiated the establishment of at least four emergency shelters to accommodate the hundreds of displaced individuals, as stressed by the ministry. Clement Matwidi, a resident impacted by the flooding, urged for further government intervention. “Everything is lost due to the floods and we are here waiting for the government’s decision,” he stated. Historical context reveals that Kinshasa experienced similar calamities in 2022, resulting in over 100 fatalities.

This current disaster compounds the government’s ongoing struggle with a significant humanitarian crisis in the eastern regions of the country, distanced more than 2,600 kilometers from Kinshasa, where renewed conflict with rebel groups intensified in February, further exacerbating an existing humanitarian emergency.

The flooding in Kinshasa has been devastating, with a reported death toll of 33 and significant infrastructural damage. The government’s response has been criticized by residents, who feel that assistance has been inadequate. With ongoing humanitarian challenges in the east of the country, the situation in Kinshasa underscores the need for effective disaster management and emergency response mechanisms.

Original Source: www.breakingnews.ie