Severe floods claim one life in Kinshasa, Congo
Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of Congo, experienced severe flooding after the first heavy rains of the season from Friday night to Saturday, October 18 to 19, 2024 submerging neighborhoods and causing widespread disruption. One three-year-old was reported dead after the body was found under the rubble of a destroyed house.
People taking shelter on roofs amidst Kinshasa floods. Image credit: Nanana365
Floods struck Kinshasa following the first heavy rains of the rainy season from Friday night to Saturday. Several neighborhoods were inundated and traffic was disrupted in several neighborhoods.
Reports indicate that several rivers overflowed, with vehicles partially submerged and swept away by the floodwaters.
Several homes were destroyed, and a dike in the Salembao commune was breached. People were stranded and seeking emergency shelter. A three-year-old boy was reported dead after his body was found in the rubble of a destroyed house in the Kalamu commune.
The city’s power distribution station was damaged by the floods. Schools, markets, and other businesses were closed in the affected neighborhoods. Streets became impassable due to the floodwaters, with the situation worsened by blocked gutters, which prevented proper drainage.
19 Oct 2024 – Kinshasa, Congo – Severe flooding from massive rain
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References:
1 Fortes pluies à Kinshasa : la ville inondée, les activités paralysées – Radio Okapi – October 19, 2024
2 RDC: des pluies diluviennes provoquent des inondations dans plusieurs quartiers de Kinshasa – RFI – October 20, 2024
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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