Flooding in Kinshasa
Flooding in Kinshasa
Heavy rain from 03 January has caused flooding and landslides in and around the city of Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

At least 37 people are thought to have died, and it is feared that this figure could rise as further assessments are carried out.

Local media said that the fatalities occurred in several areas around the city, including in Ngaliema, Selembao, Bandalungwa, Limete and Barumbu.

The provincial minister for health and social affairs, Dominique Weloli, told AFP that the district of Ngaliema, a poor hillside community, was particularly hit. Other affected areas include Kingabwa, Mombele and Ndjili.


Many of the the deaths were caused by the collapse of houses and walls and the flooding has once again brought Kinshasa's crumbling housing and poor infrastructure, in particular lack of adequate drainage, under scrutiny.

The flooding has also damaged electricity infrastructure and at least 10 communes in Kinshasa are without power.

At least 33 people died in Kinshasa DRC due to heavy rains
© Nicolas Pinault ‏At least 33 people died in Kinshasa, DRC due to heavy rains
Rain and rivers

Some local media reports suggest that at least two smaller rivers - the Ndjili and the Tshwenge - have burst their banks, damaging bridges in Ndjili district and flooding areas of the city close to the rivers.

Flood
Floodwater in Kinshasa
Local media reported that the rain fell non-stop for 23 hours from 03 January to 04 January, 2018.

According to WMO figures, 182 mm of rain fell in Ndjili, Kinshasa in 24 hours to 04 January.