Over 100 Killed in Eastern DR Congo Floods, Say Officials

Heavy overnight floods have devastated several villages in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), resulting in the deaths of more than 100 people, according to local officials. The floods occurred in South Kivu province and were triggered by torrential rains that struck the region from Thursday night into Friday. Bernard Akili, a regional official, informed AFP that the rains caused the Kasaba River to overflow its banks, unleashing a powerful surge of water that swept through the Kasaba village and nearby areas.

According to Akili, the rushing floodwaters carried with them large stones, trees, and mud, ultimately razing houses located on the edge of the lake. He further stated that the majority of the victims were children and elderly individuals. The flooding left 28 people injured and destroyed approximately 150 homes, causing widespread devastation. Sammy Kalonji, the regional administrator, confirmed that the torrent killed at least 104 people and resulted in significant material damage.

The provincial health minister of South Kivu, Theophile Walulika Muzaliwa, told the Associated Press that rescue efforts were severely hindered due to a lack of basic services and communication breakdowns, including a shutdown of telephone lines caused by the flooding. Muzaliwa mentioned that local authorities — including sector, village, and locality chiefs — were present at the scene, but the Red Cross was the only humanitarian organization available to assist with relief efforts.

A local resident shared with AFP that 119 bodies had been recovered by Saturday, highlighting the scale of the tragedy. The disaster adds to a series of recurring natural calamities that frequently affect the DR Congo, especially in the Great Lakes region in the eastern part of the country. These regions are particularly vulnerable due to widespread deforestation that has weakened the surrounding hills, increasing the risk of landslides and flash floods.

In 2023, similar flooding events killed 400 people across communities situated along the shores of Lake Kivu, also in South Kivu province. More recently, in the capital city of Kinshasa, 33 people lost their lives in flooding just a month prior to this incident. These frequent natural disasters are a grim reminder of the ecological fragility and infrastructural challenges facing the country.

Adding to the humanitarian crisis, DR Congo has been embroiled in decades-long conflict, especially in its eastern regions. In late January, the conflict escalated sharply when the M23 rebel group, allegedly supported by Rwanda, launched a rapid and surprise offensive and captured Goma, the capital of North Kivu province. This offensive resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people and injuries to 2,880 others.

The ongoing conflict and repeated natural disasters have contributed to what is considered one of the world’s largest and most severe humanitarian crises. Currently, over seven million people remain displaced within DR Congo. The latest floods in South Kivu further compound the suffering of an already vulnerable population, emphasizing the urgent need for increased humanitarian aid, improved infrastructure, and sustainable environmental practices to reduce the impact of such disasters in the future.