In Bumba, in the Mongala province, torrential rains fall relentlessly, creating chaos for the inhabitants of marshy neighborhoods such as Lingodie. The consequences of these bad weather conditions are disastrous, with puddles, quagmires and even house collapses. It is in this difficult context that the Lingodie neighborhood was the scene of a tragedy on Wednesday, October 9, when a rammed earth house collapsed on a widowed woman and her three children.
Witnesses to the scene say that the cries of distress of the victims, trapped under the rubble, were almost stifled by the storm that was raging that day. By an unexpected miracle, the youngest of the family, aged 5, managed to free herself from the rubble and alert the neighbors. The latter, united by solidarity, rushed to rescue the widow Miriam and her children, pulling them out of their death trap.
Despite the absence of human losses, the stricken family was rushed to the hospital to receive the necessary care. However, testimonies indicate that since their admission, they have been left to their fate, without any visit or assistance from local authorities.
The population affected by these torrential rains fears the worst, fearing other serious incidents such as floods or house collapses in the most vulnerable areas. Faced with this alarming situation, an appeal for help is launched to the territorial and provincial authorities so that they take urgent measures to protect the lives and property of the inhabitants of Bumba.
These tragic events highlight the urgency of implementing policies to prevent natural risks and strengthen infrastructure to protect vulnerable populations from the vagaries of the weather. It is imperative that authorities are fully engaged in managing the consequences of extreme weather events, in order to ensure the safety and well-being of all citizens.