"Severe Flooding in DR Congo's Kinshasa Claims Dozens of Lives, Destroys Homes"

Flooding in DR Congo’s Kinshasa Kills Dozens, Paralyzes City Infrastructure

Severe flooding triggered by heavy rains has devastated parts of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, leaving at least 30 people dead and causing widespread damage to homes, roads, and public utilities.

The Ndjili River, which flows through the bustling city of nearly 17 million residents, burst its banks late Friday night, submerging the main national road. The flooding left motorists stranded for hours, with some forced to spend the entire night in their vehicles.

“On the way home from the airport last night to welcome a friend, we spent the night in the car because there was no safe place to park,” Kinshasa resident Patricia Mikonga told Reuters.

According to Provincial Health Minister Patricien Gongo, most of the fatalities occurred due to collapsing walls. He emphasized that the current death toll remains provisional.

Many neighborhoods were plunged into darkness, while others were left without access to clean water. Governor Daniel Bumba Lubaki, speaking on state television, confirmed damage to water infrastructure but assured residents that service would be restored within days. He also pointed to illegal housing as a contributing factor to the disaster and warned that residents of informal settlements could face eviction.