Fatshimetrie, October 20, 2024 – The recent torrential rains that fell on the city of Kinshasa had disastrous consequences on several neighborhoods of the Congolese capital. Indeed, erosion heads formed and progressed in a worrying manner in the Tshibanda neighborhoods in Mont-Ngafula and Ngafani in Selembao.
The inhabitants of these neighborhoods witnessed the rapid advance of these natural phenomena which seriously threaten their homes. Significant material damage was recorded, with houses, pharmacies and shops washed away by the waters. Fortunately, no loss of human life was to be deplored, but the situation remains alarming.
The lack of monitoring and maintenance of the pipes was pointed out as one of the causes of these erosion heads. The collectors gave way under the pressure of the water, giving way to devastating landslides. Residents deplore the lack of prevention and intervention by the competent authorities to anticipate such situations.
In the north of the city, cultural infrastructure has also suffered from the bad weather. The media library of the French Institute of Kinshasa was flooded, forcing its temporary closure. Residents of the communes bordering the Kalamu River have also been badly affected, with furniture swept away by the waters.
In addition to the floods, road traffic has been severely disrupted on several arteries of the city. Lumumba Avenue in Limete and Mokali Road in Kimbanseke have been particularly impacted, causing inconvenience to motorists and residents in the surrounding area.
Faced with these dramatic events, it is essential that emergency measures be taken to protect populations and prevent new disasters. Maintaining infrastructure and implementing natural risk prevention plans must be priorities for local authorities.
In conclusion, these events highlight the crucial importance of natural risk management in a city like Kinshasa, exposed to bad weather and extreme climate events. Urgent action is needed to protect residents and preserve the environment, in order to ensure a safe and sustainable future for all.