Severe flooding has claimed at least 33 lives in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital, according to official reports.
President Félix Tshisekedi addressed victims on Monday, pledging support and announcing a government crisis meeting. “The republic will not abandon you,” he assured affected residents.
Citizens are attempting to escape rising waters by wading, swimming, or using makeshift canoes. The metropolis of 17 million sits along the massive Congo River, which recently reached its highest level in 60 years.
Flooding is a recurring issue in Kinshasa, with the president previously warning that climate change is exacerbating the situation. Soil erosion also contributes to the city’s vulnerability.
Following overnight flooding from Friday into Saturday, many homes in western Kinshasa were destroyed. The mayor reports that approximately half of the city’s 26 districts have been affected, with rescue teams deployed to assist residents.
The city’s outskirts and poorest neighborhoods have suffered the most severe damage. Christophe Bola, a resident of the Ndanu area, told AFP: “The water has reached 1.5 metres high. We have just managed to save ourselves, the rest is trapped in our homes.”
Local residents have expressed frustration with authorities, criticizing what they perceive as a delayed and inadequate response to the disaster.
Beyond the immediate flooding dangers, Kinshasa faces widespread water shortages after treatment pumps were submerged. Transportation infrastructure has been severely impacted, with the main road connecting downtown to the international airport now impassable. Additionally, sections of the highway linking the capital to Matadi, the country’s primary port, are unusable.
The N’djili River, a Congo River tributary known for pollution and high levels of waste, has overflowed according to Deputy President Jacquemain Shabani’s Sunday statement, trapping numerous residents.
Poor sewage maintenance and limited urban planning contribute to Kinshasa’s vulnerability. The government announced plans last year to address these longstanding issues.
Weather forecasts predict additional heavy rainfall for Kinshasa in coming weeks, as well as for Goma, the eastern city recently captured by rebel forces. The national meteorological agency has also issued warnings for intense precipitation in the country’s northern and northeastern regions.
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