Floods in Kinshasa after torrential rains

Neighborhoods submerged due to bad weather

Torrential rains on Saturday morning caused flooding in several neighborhoods of Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rivers burst their banks, causing overflows in this megacity of 17 million inhabitants. The first heavy rain of the season flooded many arteries, particularly in the industrial district of Limete, where residents were surprised by the rapid rise in water levels.

Submerged streets and overwhelmed infrastructure

Videos posted on social media showed public transport buses, nicknamed “spirits of death,” swept away by the floods in the middle of the street. Small rivers, canals and sewers overflowed, making several areas impassable. In some parts of Limete, the water reached the chests of passers-by who dared to go out despite the floods.

According to a local resident, these floods are frequent, particularly because of the lack of maintenance of the Kalamu River. “We are victims every time it rains,” he said as he emptied water from his flooded plot. Residents of Forgeron and Funa have even had to hire young people to carry them on their backs or in wheelbarrows through the muddy waters for a small fee.

Fear of new bad weather

As the sky remained overcast, residents of the affected neighborhoods feared that further rains would worsen the situation. The lack of cleaning of the capital’s gutters and rivers is often blamed as one of the main causes of recurring flooding.

Previous murderers in Kinshasa

Flooding caused by rains is a regular occurrence in Kinshasa, often causing casualties. In November 2019, torrential rains led to the death of around forty people in the capital, following floods and landslides. Fortunately, as of midday on Saturday, no loss of life had yet been reported.

Conclusion

Recent flooding in Kinshasa has once again highlighted the city’s vulnerability to severe weather, exacerbated by the lack of adequate infrastructure to manage rainwater. As the rainy season begins, residents remain concerned about the risk of further flooding, calling for urgent action to improve drainage and limit future damage.