Earth Science News
SHAKE AND BLOW
DR Congo president meets irate Kinshasa flood victims
DR Congo president meets irate Kinshasa flood victims
by AFP Staff Writers
Kinshasa (AFP) April 7, 2025

Angry residents vented their frustration at DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi on Monday after losing their homes in weekend flash floods in the capital Kinshasa that have killed at least 33 people.

Flooding frequently proves deadly in Kinshasa, which sits on the banks of the Congo River, Africa's second largest after the Nile.

Poor maintenance and inadequate sewerage systems have left drainage pipes blocked by rubbish in many poorer neighbourhoods.

Those living in makeshift shacks and quarters with unpaved streets are especially at risk in the overcrowded megapolis, with an estimated population of some 17 million.

"Dad, you left your children in the street," a resident told Tshisekedi, who along with his wife Denise Nyakeru visited some 600 people sheltering in a stadium transformed into an emergency shelter.

"They call you a man of concrete but you're not helping your people," a resident told him, referring to his nickname in French.

The Democratic Republic of Congo leader also faced questions regarding the shambolic infrastructure and sanitation in Kinshasa.

"Stay healthy and may the Lord protect you," Tshisekedi said, ringed by members of the Republican Guard, before he left the stadium.

At least 33 people died in the latest floods and around 50 were hospitalised, according to the interior ministry.

About 5,000 families have been affected, Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba told a news conference.

On Monday, the waters that the day before had submerged the main road leading to the airport, were receding with traffic slowly resuming.

However other areas were still under water.

"Our belongings have been washed away. Since Friday, there has been nothing to eat, we ask the state to think about us," said Micheline Ngamundele, a mother of seven, in the eastern district of Limete.

A local pastor who gave his name as Josue said "the damage has been enormous. We have lost everything in my church".

"I think a lot of victims have not been found as yet," he added.

Gulain Amani, a professor at Kinshasa's Institute of Architecture and Urbanism, said: "Kinshasa is facing enormous demographic pressure and we are just building everywhere.

"We are not managing waste disposal or the treatment of used water," he told AFP.

The minister of urbanism on Sunday called for the demolition of buildings "identified as anarchic".

Related Links
Bringing Order To A World Of Disasters
When the Earth Quakes
A world of storm and tempest

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
SHAKE AND BLOW
Torrential rains kill dozens in DR Congo capital
Kinshasa (AFP) April 6, 2025
Heavy downpours in the Democratic Republic of Congo's capital Kinshasa have killed around 30 people while wreaking havoc across the central African megacity, an official told AFP on Sunday. After the rain poured down overnight from Friday to Saturday, rising waters devastated several outlying and impoverished suburbs of the metropolis of some 17 million people, with some residents forced to navigate the streets by canoe. "There are many wounded who have been evacuated and for the moment we are i ... read more

SHAKE AND BLOW
Lessons and liquids: buried alive in Myanmar's earthquake; Ceasefire declared

Nearly 100 dead in Dominican Republic nightclub roof collapse

Finland's colossal bomb shelters a model for jittery Europe

Civilians act to bring aid to Myanmar earthquake victims

SHAKE AND BLOW
Kazakhstan discovers its 'largest' rare earths deposit

Scientists build novel quantum material from two extreme compounds

Metamaterials enable ultra-efficient mechanical energy storage

Biomass satellite prepped for launch fuel load

SHAKE AND BLOW
Canadians in Great Lakes city bristle at Trump water threats

The Metals Company courts Trump for deep-sea mining contract

Once-dying Mexican river delta slowly nursed back to life

Companies keen to start deep-sea mining off Norway

SHAKE AND BLOW
Yana, a 130,000-year-old baby mammoth, goes under the scalpel

Yana, a 130,000-year-old baby mammoth, goes under the scalpel

Rubio reaffirms 'strong' US relationship with Denmark at meeting

Melting ice, more rain drive Southern Ocean cooling

SHAKE AND BLOW
Crops under threat as surprise March heatwave hit Central Asia: study

Mapping the Earth's crops

New insights reveal how social dynamics drove the rise of agriculture

EU unveils plans to help wine sector; France says China grants delay over cognac duties

SHAKE AND BLOW
Volcano in Philippines sends ash miles into the air

5.0-magnitude quake hits Taiwan: USGS

Missing girl found lifting Argentina floods death toll to 17

DR Congo president meets irate Kinshasa flood victims

SHAKE AND BLOW
Mali separatist rebel commander arrested in Niger

Detained Burkina journalists seen at anti-jihadist front line

UK defence minister meets family of murdered Kenyan woman

Herd of animal puppets treks from Africa to Europe in climate action

SHAKE AND BLOW
Thailand rescue dogs double as emotional support

Colombia's lonely chimp Yoko finds new home in Brazil

Beijing simplifies marriages to encourage Chinese to wed

When did human language emerge?

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.