At least 40 people have died in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as heavy rains on Tuesday night caused devastating floods and landslides.
Residents in affected areas, including the town of Bukavu, are struggling to cope with the aftermath, wading through mud to find the bodies of the dead. The death toll in Bukavu stands at 20, with another 20 in the village of Burinji, 50 kilometres from the town. Despite attempts to find bodies under fallen trees, some people are still missing.
The vulnerability of communities such as Mukupi to extreme rainfall is exacerbated by poor urban planning and poor infrastructure, contributing to the increased frequency and intensity of such disasters in Africa, according to UN climate experts.
While residents tirelessly salvaged belongings from damaged homes, Bukavu spokesman Emmanuel Majivuno Kalimba noted the effects of clogged waterways due to waste, which exacerbates flooding. This recent tragedy adds to the region’s woes after at least 22 people died on Tuesday in Kasai Central province where a landslide destroyed homes, churches and roads, displacing families and leaving a trail of homelessness in its wake.
In May 2023, in Kalehe Territory of South Kivu, at least 438 bodies were found in areas hit by flooding caused by heavy rains. Local authorities estimated that more than 5,000 people were missing.
Floods and landslides are common in Congo during the rainy season, which runs from September to May, and often have devastating impacts.
