** Kinshasa under waters: the necessary adaptation of urban mobility in the face of natural disasters **
Last Sunday, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kinshasa, was struck by torrential rains, plunging part of the city in chaos and causing the tragic death of at least 22 people. This, although partial assessment underlines the urgency of an appropriate response in the face of an increasingly current climate phenomenon. The Congolese Ministry of Transport was quick to react, putting in place exceptional measures to ensure the continuity of air traffic with N’Djili International Airport.
Passengers whose flights were scheduled for Sunday were invited to use river shuttles from Onatra from Beach Ngobila. This initiative overloads river transport, thus revealing the vulnerability of aging and often insufficient road infrastructure to deal with extreme climatic events. The adaptability of transport systems in the city is testing, and this situation invites a wider reflection on the Congolese urban model.
** A city transformed by the rise of waters **
Far from being an isolated event, this disaster raises the crucial question of town planning in areas subject to floods. According to World Bank statistics, Kinshasa is among the African capitals most exposed to flood risks. A study conducted in 2020 estimated that nearly 4 million people live in high risk areas, which strengthens the need for strategic urban planning integrating flood management.
The areas around crucial bridges like that of Ndjili, as well as districts such as Kiminwenza and Limete-Salongo, are now considered as vulnerability points. Faced with this reality, the question arises: how can Kinshasa make its infrastructures more resilient in the face of the implacability of the climate?
** An intermediate response: river transport **
The establishment of river shuttles to connect the city center to the airport is an operational response, but it should not obscure the need for a long-term coherent strategy. River transport, traditionally underused, could offer a viable solution to decongest the roads, but it is still necessary to invest in suitable infrastructure.
Economic levers are also to be considered: an effective river transport system could stimulate the local economy, promote tourism and make coastal districts more attractive. Investments in river infrastructure would thus be double: to secure urban travel while energizing the local economy.
** Solidarity and organization in the face of disaster **
Beyond infrastructure, the response to floods revealed a need for organization and community solidarity. The ongoing evacuations have mobilized military means, but also the support of citizens. This community resilience deserves to be encouraged and institutionalized, because the effectiveness of help in the event of a disaster also depends on the local organization.
Local and international non -governmental organizations could play a key role by integrating into the assistance process, forming volunteers in emergency management and awareness of populations with the risks linked to weather.
** Conclusion: a turning point for Kinshasa **
The strong bad weather that hit Kinshasa recently should not simply be perceived as a tragic framework in urban life. On the contrary, they could represent a decisive turning point for the city. The current crisis highlights the need for exhaustive reflection on infrastructure, optimal use of river routes and the implementation of effective emergency devices.
In the end, Kinshasa’s challenge is not only to ensure emergency measures in the face of rain, but to fundamentally rethink its urban model for a more resilient, adaptable and united city. Only a long -term vision and a sustainable urban plan will allow the Congolese capital to deal with the climatic challenges of the 21st century.