165 dead as severe flooding and landslides hit Kinshasa, DR Congo

Heavy flooding and landslides in Kinshasa, DR Congo, between April 4 and 11, have resulted in 165 deaths and more than 60 000 people affected. The disaster caused significant infrastructure damage and displaced thousands.

The flooding, triggered by torrential rains that caused the Ndjili River to overflow, affected 13 of Kinshasa’s 24 municipalities, including Mont-Amba, Ndjili, Masina, and Limete. Kinshasa, which typically experiences seasonal flooding from November to May, has seen intensifying impacts in recent years due to rapid urban expansion and heavy rainfall.

As of April 15, reports confirm 165 fatalities and 170 injuries, a significant rise from the initial estimates of 33. At the time, authorities described the flood as the worst in recent history.

Over 7 000 people have been displaced and are currently sheltered in four relief sites, including the Stade des Martyrs, where more than 4 500 people are housed. Over 60 000 residents have been affected, facing property losses and limited access to basic services. Authorities are working to reduce congestion in the shelters.

Damage assessments show numerous homes destroyed or damaged as major roads, including access to N’djili International Airport, remain submerged and impassable. Power and water supply disruptions have been reported across several municipalities, while emergency ferries have been deployed to rescue residents stranded by the widespread flooding.

This event continues a pattern of severe flooding in Kinshasa, with similar incidents occurring in 2024 and earlier in 2025. The city, with a population of 17 million, remains vulnerable due to rapid urbanization and inadequate drainage infrastructure.

Additional rainfall in the Kinshasa city area is forecast over the next 48 hours starting April 15. Meteorologists report that the continuing rainy season may extend risks in already saturated areas.

International support includes damage assessment activations by the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) on April 11 and the International Charter on April 10. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is supporting relief efforts while local authorities are coordinating multi-sectoral responses to meet urgent needs.

Damage assessments are ongoing to determine the full extent of destruction, particularly to housing and public infrastructure. The Health Ministry has reported effects in 11 health zones, complicating access to medical care. Relief efforts remain focused on providing food, water, and shelter.

References:

¹ Flood in Democratic Republic of the Congo – GDACS – April 15, 2025

² Democratic Republic of the Congo – Floods (IFRC, UNOSAT, International Charter, METTELSAT) (ECHO Daily Flash of 14 April 2025) – ReliefWeb – April 14, 2025

³ At least 33 killed in one of Kinshasa’s worst floods in recent history, DR Congo – The Watchers – April 7, 2025

Reet Kaur

I’m a science journalist and researcher at The Watchers, contributing to the Epicenter edition, where I cover peer-reviewed scientific research and emerging discoveries across Earth and space sciences. With a background in astronomy and a passion for environmental science, I’ve worked in shark and coral conservation in Fiji, conducting reef and shark-behavior research, contributing to mangrove restoration, and earning PADI Open Water and Coral Reef Certifications. I bring a blend of scientific rigor and storytelling to illuminate the discoveries shaping our planet and beyond.

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