Overview

• Approximately 30 people have died, primarily from collapsing walls, after heavy rains triggered severe flooding in Kinshasa, DR Congo.
• The Ndjili River burst its banks on Friday night, submerging roads, destroying homes, and forcing residents to flee or use canoes to navigate streets.
• Major transportation routes, including National Road 1, were submerged, stranding motorists overnight and exacerbating the city's logistical challenges.
• Poor drainage systems, illegal housing, and unplanned urbanization worsened the disaster, with Kinshasa's governor warning of potential evictions in high-risk areas.
• The flooding underscores a broader pattern of extreme weather in Central Africa, linked to climate change, and the urgent need for improved infrastructure.