Residents in DR Congo’s flood-hit capital fear more rain: Video
Residents of the flood-prone capital, Kinshasa, are growing increasingly fearful as heavy rains continue, with many bracing for further destruction in the city already struggling with fragile infrastructure and inadequate drainage systems.
Earlier this month, at least 33 people were killed in flash floods, and now, with new downpours hitting the city, residents are once again on edge.
“Every time it rains like this, the first thing we get is a power cut,” Pierre Tshimpaka, a local resident, told the AFP. “They cut the power because they think if they leave it on during the rain, the damage could be enormous. And then, we can’t sleep - we are scared the water will overflow, damage the walls, and flood the plot.”
Kinshasa, a sprawling megacity of roughly 17 million people, sits along the Congo River, Africa’s second-longest waterway. However, despite its strategic location, the city is ill-equipped to manage seasonal rains. Drainage systems are frequently blocked by trash, and many poorer neighborhoods are riddled with unpaved streets and makeshift housing, making them highly vulnerable.
In the Lingwala commune, located in the heart of Kinshasa, residents say flooding is disrupting daily life and posing serious risks.
“We need to find a solution because Lingwala is right in the centre of Kinshasa,” said Paty, another local resident. “But look at how we suffer from the water. If you go to remote areas like Dodoma, it’s catastrophic. From Libenge to Mweka, it’s just water everywhere. People are in danger, there are no more roads—they’re all blocked, and getting around is becoming an ordeal.”
The combination of urban overcrowding, poor waste management, and weak infrastructure has made Kinshasa particularly susceptible to flooding disasters, especially in low-lying areas.
