Floods in the Democratic Republic of Congo: the Equateur region affected by the rising waters of the Congo River
After a week of heavy flooding in the Democratic Republic of Congo, it is now the Equateur region that is affected by the rising waters of the Congo River.
At the end of December, floods hit the provinces of Ituri and Mongala as well as the capital Kinshasa.
Now residents of the town of Mbandaka and its surrounding areas are struggling to cope with floodwaters, which have destroyed more than a hundred homes, according to authorities.
As of December 28, there were 60 flood-related deaths across the country.
The floods follow a month of exceptionally heavy rainfall, which also caused deadly landslides and the collapse of buildings.
This week, a state of emergency was declared, along with the release of approximately $4 million in emergency funds intended to provide humanitarian assistance to those affected.
Experts say short but intense downpours are a hallmark sign of climate change, and when combined with the hot, very dry periods that precede rains, they create ideal conditions for flooding. Heat hardens the soil, making it less permeable and able to retain excess rainwater.
The impacts of deforestation make matters worse, increasing the risk of landslides.
The floods are the most serious in more than sixty years, since the last major floods in Kinshasa in 1961.
This original article has been translated to provide more information on the situation and inform the reader of the significant consequences of these floods in the Democratic Republic of Congo.