Dozens Dead, Many Missing as Floods Hit Eastern Congo Hard

Severe floods in Eastern Congo have led to at least 62 deaths and 50 missing persons. The disaster struck villages along Lake Tanganyika in South Kivu province, complicating recovery efforts amidst ongoing armed conflict. Only the Red Cross is on-site providing humanitarian assistance as searches for victims continue.

In a devastating incident in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, floods have claimed at least 62 lives, with an additional 50 individuals reported missing. This tragic event unfolded early Friday morning around 5 a.m. local time, particularly impacting the village of Kasaba located in the Ngandja sector, as torrential rains led to massive flooding in the South Kivu province. The disaster has resulted in homes being washed away and communication lines being severed, creating a dire situation for the affected communities.

Theophile Walulika Muzaliwa, the provincial health minister for South Kivu, spoke with Arab News indicating that recovery operations are severely hindered. He noted the involvement of local leaders, including sector, village, and locality chiefs, who are currently on-site to assist. Notably, the only humanitarian organization providing aid in the area at this time is the Red Cross. “It is not possible to give an assessment as body searches are continuing,” Muzaliwa remarked, emphasizing the ongoing challenges faced by rescue teams.

This catastrophic flooding comes on the heels of earlier rainfall that resulted in 33 fatalities in Kinshasa, the nation’s capital. In recent months, infrastructure across the Democratic Republic of Congo has suffered greatly, with challenges further exacerbated by a persistent armed conflict in the region. Renewed fighting between government forces and armed groups has intensified since February, worsening what the United Nations has described as one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.

In summary, the recent floods in Eastern Congo have resulted in a tragic loss of lives and significant displacement, complicating the ongoing humanitarian challenges faced by the region. With rescue efforts hampered by the flooding’s aftermath and existing conflict, the situation remains critical as authorities strive to provide timely assistance to the affected communities.

Original Source: www.aa.com.tr