At least 29 people lost their lives over the weekend following torrential rains in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to local authorities.
The unseasonal deluge, highly unusual during the current dry season, wreaked havoc on the city’s infrastructure—flooding major roads, cutting power and water supply, and displacing numerous residents.
Governor Daniel Bumba confirmed that emergency evacuations and temporary resettlements were underway, urging residents to raise disaster awareness and adopt preventive practices. Meteorological officials reported rainfall levels reaching 90 millimetres—an extraordinary figure for this time of year. With forecasts indicating more rain in the coming days, fears remain high that further devastation could strike the city of over 17 million inhabitants.