Kinshasa, DRC – (African Boulevard News) – The Democratic Republic of Congo is experiencing one of the deadliest floods in its history as reports confirm that at least 176 villagers have been killed in the eastern regions near Lake Kivu. The disaster that happened in Nyamukubi, a village in the Kalehe territory south of the province of South Kivu, has left hundreds of people missing and many more injured.
As bodies were pulled from the mud, some residents estimated that three-quarters of homes in the village of Nyamukubi were destroyed. According to the local authorities, heavy rains that lasted for several days caused the nearby rivers to overflow, and the floods swept everything in their path.
“The dwellings have disappeared, and the inhabitants did not have time to escape,” said Juvenal Munubo, one of the survivors. He added, “The floods have also destroyed the Nyamukubi bridge, making it difficult to reach the village.” The government has sent rescue teams to search for survivors and recover some of the missing bodies.
Several other towns and villages in South Kivu, North Kivu, and Ituri, the three provinces bordering Lake Kivu, have been affected by the floods. The authorities fear that the death toll may increase as more bodies are recovered, and more victims are found. In addition, many people have been rendered homeless, and their properties destroyed.
The National Bureau of Hydrocarbons and Mines explained that the situation might worsen due to the high risk of landslides, adding that the growing population and unregulated construction have led to environmental degradation in the region. The disaster highlights the urgent need for the government and environmental agencies to develop and implement measures to prevent similar disasters.
The United Nations has provided assistance and aid to the affected communities, including food, shelter, and medical supplies. “We are working to ensure that the Congolese government and humanitarian organizations have the resources they need to respond to this deadly crisis,” said David McLachlan-Karr, the Humanitarian Coordinator in Congo.
The devastating floods in Congo have left many families grieving and struggling to cope with their losses. It is a stark reminder of how vulnerable many African nations are to natural disasters. The government and environmental groups must work together to address the root causes of these disasters and develop ways to prevent them.
