The death toll from flooding that has blocked access to more than half of Congo's capital, Kinshasa, has risen to 33 as authorities scramble to evacuate hundreds of families stranded in their homes.
Ten more deaths had been confirmed by Sunday evening, adding to the 23 previously reported, Congolese Interior Minister Jacquemin Chabani said on state television.
Heavy rains began last week, causing the Ndjili River to burst its banks on Friday, flooding many buildings.
Although the situation had improved by Monday morning, some roads remained closed and traffic was difficult.
Many citizens expressed dissatisfaction with the government's slow response to the disaster.
“We lost everything and left everything behind,” said Marie Nzola, one of those affected by the floods. “The rain caught us by surprise late at night.”
On Sunday, authorities said most of the victims died when walls collapsed shortly after the flooding began.
The main transport artery to the airport, which connects Kinshasa with the rest of the Democratic Republic of Congo, was damaged by flooding but will be reopened to traffic within 72 hours, Kinshasa Governor Daniel Bumba said.
The Interior Ministry said the flooding had also disrupted access to clean water in at least 16 areas after water systems were damaged.
The ministry said in a statement that the government had set up at least four shelters to accommodate hundreds of evacuated families across the city.
Local resident Clement Matvidi, one of the flood victims, expressed his disappointment and called on the government to provide more assistance.
“Everything has been lost due to the floods and we are here waiting for the government's decision,” he said.
In 2022, similar flooding in Kinshasa killed at least 100 people.
The disaster comes as the government grapples with a humanitarian crisis in the east of the country, more than 2,600 kilometers (1,600 miles) from Kinshasa, where a decades-long counter-insurgency battle escalated in February, further deepening one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
