Heavy rains in Kinshasa, Congo, have caused floods leading to at least 22 fatalities and significant urban disruption. The flooding damaged the main road to the airport but has reopened for light traffic. Past incidents have seen even higher fatalities, raising alarms about infrastructure and safety in flood-prone areas.
The devastating flooding in Kinshasa, the capital of Congo, has resulted in a minimum of 22 fatalities and has severed access to more than half of the city, including the main airport. This tragic event occurred on Friday, with the provincial health minister, Patricien Ngongo, indicating that many casualties were due to the collapse of walls.
Kinshasa’s governor, Daniel Bumba, reported that the primary road to the airport sustained damage but has been reopened to light traffic. Complete access is expected to resume within 72 hours, a vital link that also connects Kinshasa to the wider region, raising concerns over potential trade disruptions.
Truck driver Blaise Ndendo expressed frustration regarding the situation, stating, “We’ve been here since nightfall, but we’re not making any progress, because we’ve been told that the road is cut in two.” This incident highlights the precariousness of infrastructure in the region, as similar flooding in 2022 resulted in the loss of at least 100 lives.
The significant flooding in Kinshasa underscores the ongoing vulnerability of urban infrastructure to extreme weather events, resulting in tragic loss of life and disruption of transportation and trade. As authorities work to restore access, the community reflects on the troubling precedent set by past flooding incidents. Public safety and infrastructure resilience remain critical concerns in addressing such natural disasters.
Original Source: www.butlereagle.com
