At least 33 people have died in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), after days of torrential rain triggered catastrophic flooding. Left behind are submerged neighbourhoods, residents stranded, and crippled infrastructure in one of Africa’s most populous cities.
The floods triggered an overflow of the Ndjili River—a tributary of the Congo River. The floods have paralyzed Kinshasa’s transport networks, rendering the main airport road impassable and disrupting the critical highway to Matadi, the country’s key port.
According to Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani confirmed that most deaths occurred due to collapsing walls as floodwaters surged through densely populated areas. In N’djili and Ndanu, one of the hardest-hit neighbourhoods, water levels reached 1.5 meters (4.9 feet), forcing residents to flee by wading through murky waters or paddling in makeshift canoes.
Despite President Félix Tshisekedi’s pledge to support victims, many residents accused authorities of a slow and inadequate response. “We lost everything. The rain caught us by surprise late at night,” said Marie Nzola, one of many left homeless.
Climate Change and Urban Planning Failures
Kinshasa, home to 17 million people, sits along the Congo River, which recently hit its highest level in 60 years. Poor urban planning, clogged sewage systems, and rampant soil erosion have worsened the crisis. Scientists warn that the Ndjili River, already polluted with sewage and waste, now poses severe health risks.
As rescue efforts continue, the disaster underscores the urgent need for better flood defences and climate adaptation strategies in one of the world’s most vulnerable megacities.
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