The landslide disaster is a worrying reality in many regions of the world. Unfortunately, Mbuji-Mayi, in the Kasaï-Oriental province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, was not spared from this devastating phenomenon. Recently, an earthslide caused by poor rainwater channeling caused significant material damage and endangered the lives of many residents.
The “Mbala wa Tshitolo” ravine, located in the commune of Diulu, Nkashama 2 district, was the scene of this tragic event. A company responsible for improving urban roads unfortunately blocked the passage of rainwater in this ravine, thus causing excessive accumulation of water and pressure on the walls. Over time, this pressure led to landslides, causing cracks and the destruction of many houses in its path.
Following this natural disaster, the population appealed to the provincial government for urgent intervention. Currently, many people find themselves homeless, forced to spend the night under the stars, while others have been able to find temporary refuge with relatives or in reception centers. This situation is all the more worrying as it occurs during the rainy season, when weather conditions are more unstable.
Faced with this alarming situation, the governor of the Kasai-Oriental province, Julie Kalenga Kabongo, called an emergency meeting to assess the situation and find temporary solutions while waiting for more lasting measures. It is crucial that concrete actions are taken quickly to ensure the safety and well-being of residents affected by this disaster.
It is also important to emphasize that this is not the first time that the commune of Diulu, and more broadly the town of Mbuji-Mayi, has been faced with such tragedies. In 2019, several landslides had already caused significant damage and the destruction of numerous houses. It is therefore imperative to put in place preventive measures and to take into account the risks linked to the geographical and climatic conditions of the region.
In conclusion, the landslide that occurred in the commune of Diulu in Mbuji-Mayi is an alarming reminder of the fragility of infrastructure and the importance of adequate urban planning to deal with natural risks. It is essential that local authorities take steps to strengthen rainwater channeling and ensure that such disasters do not occur again in the future.