Deadly floods sweep through Kinshasa and Brazzaville in Congo and DR Congo
Image credit: Rachel Kitsita Ndongo
Severe flash flooding hit the neighboring cities of Kinshasa in DR Congo and Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo after heavy rains on Tuesday, March 16, 2021. At least four people died, while several houses and infrastructure were damaged.
Heavy downpours triggered severe flash flooding in Kinshasa and Brazzaville, resulting in fatalities and damaged homes.
As of Wednesday, March 17, local media reported evacuations in areas near the Tsieme River in Brazzaville after floodwaters swept through homes and paralyzed the city.
In DR Congo, torrential rains caused dikes to break, sending waters to many houses. Four children died in the floods and several houses were swept away in Kisenso Municipality, east of the city.
The Ndjili bridge collapsed, causing major transport problems from and to N'Djili International Airport. The incident also cut off some communities of Tshangu District from the rest of Kinshasa.
According to residents, many of them lost valuables as flooding invaded their homes. The deputy mayor of Masina added that flooding also infiltrated markets. In several neighborhoods, flooding caused the collapse of walls.
#RDC: Pont N'djili, après la pluie . pic.twitter.com/rdwly0WdS8
— Rachel Kitsita Ndongo (@rkitsita) March 16, 2021
Voici l’incurie des Kinois et des années de tâtonnements en matière d’urbanisme à titre d’exemple les morcellements des parcelles non accompagnés d’adaptations d’ouvrages d’évaluation pic.twitter.com/bPJ4B9GATw
— Damien (@damkup) March 16, 2021
Limete Kinshasa #RDC #Kinshasa #inondations pic.twitter.com/3ABAMdBdMd
— ❌ (@heisjfrey) March 16, 2021
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