Dozens Die in Floods Hitting Congo’s Capital

A significant number of individuals have lost their lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo following heavy rains that caused flooding in the capital city of Kinshasa over the past few days, resulting in the destruction of hundreds of homes.

The Ndjili River, which flows through this densely populated city of 17 million people, overflowed and inundated major roads, such as Lumumba Boulevard, the main route to the airport. Government officials reported that thousands of residents have been displaced and at least 33 fatalities have been confirmed, with expectations of the death toll rising as the floodwaters subside.

Numerous African nations are grappling with frequent and deadly floods and droughts, a situation scientists attribute to climate change. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the continent’s second largest country, hundreds of individuals have lost their lives annually due to intense rains and flooding in recent years.

President Felix Tshisekedi visited the affected areas on Saturday, pledging food aid and a safe return for those who have been displaced. He attributed the high casualty count to illegal settlements scattered throughout the city. The rapid and largely unregulated expansion of Kinshasa has led to extensive construction on vulnerable hillsides lacking adequate drainage systems.

Denise Sukali, 45, shared, “We were fortunate to save our lives. I am safe with my family in a church since Saturday, but our home is submerged.”

Congo, a nation with a population exceeding 100 million, is already grappling with one of Africa’s most severe humanitarian crises. A 30-year conflict in its eastern regions has reignited this year, resulting in thousands of deaths and the displacement of nearly seven million individuals.

In 2024, one of the largest humanitarian initiatives worldwide was in Congo, where the United States allocated $910 million for food, water, sanitation, and shelter for displaced persons, as reported by the United Nations’ Bureau for Humanitarian Affairs. Following the U.S. government’s reduction in foreign aid to the continent, around 7.8 million individuals are at risk of losing food assistance, and 2.3 million children face the threat of malnutrition.

This article includes contributions from Justin Makangara.