In brief
In Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, heavy rains have resulted in catastrophic flooding, claiming the lives of dozens and displacing thousands of residents.
In the Ndjili district of Kinshasa, a megacity housing roughly 17 million people, torrential rains caused the Ndjili River to overflow, submerging major thoroughfares including the Lumumba Boulevard, a key route to the airport. Local authorities have confirmed at least 33 fatalities, with the possibility of the number rising as floodwaters recede and rescue efforts continue. The intense rainfall has intensified the humanitarian crisis the region faces, exacerbated by a 30-year-long conflict in eastern Congo, which has already displaced millions. Climate change is increasingly linked to severe weather events like these in Africa, with the DRC experiencing deadly floods consistently in recent years. The 2024 floods marked the deadliest in six decades, resulting in over 300 deaths and displacing 280,000 households. In response to the crisis, President Felix Tshisekedi has visited affected areas, vowing to provide humanitarian aid and resettlement support to displaced individuals. However, he emphasized that the illegal settlements on vulnerable hillsides contributed significantly to the disaster's severity. Denise Sukali, a local resident seeking refuge in a church with her children, lamented the loss of her home yet expressed gratitude for her family's safety. As the DRC continues to grapple with humanitarian challenges, the need for international assistance remains critical, especially with the recent cuts in foreign aid, threatening food security for millions. The flooding in Kinshasa underscores the urgent need for effective urban planning and disaster management in the face of climate change impacts. The international community watches closely as the region confronts both environmental and humanitarian crises head-on. Justin Makangara contributed reporting. Saikou Jammeh is a journalist based in Dakar, Senegal.
