Over 100 fatalities reported due to flooding incidents
Hey there! Here's a rundown of the recent flood disaster in Bukavu, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. It's a grim tale, I'm afraid.
A torrential downpour wreaked havoc last week on a small village nestled near Lake Tanganyika, leaving a shocking death toll of at least 104 souls[1]. The administrator of the territory of Fizi, Sammy Kalonji, reported this appalling figure, along with extensive property damage[1].
The hapless villagers of Kasaba, situated in the province of South Kivu, were caught unawares in the dead of night, as heavy rains caused the Kasaba River to burst its banks[2]. The river's waters, like a relentless avalanche, tore through everything in their path – large stones, hefty trees, mud, and homes, flattening the residences along the lake shore[2].
The victims who met their end in this disaster were primarily children and the elderly[2]. Injuries were reported in 28 people, and the destruction of 150 homes left approximately 2,000 families homeless[2].
Local civil society actor reports assert that 119 bodies have been found by Saturday[3]. However, access to the village is challenging - Kasaba is only accessible by boat, and mobile phone networks don't reach there[1].
Sadly, incidents like these are common in the DRC, especially on the shores of the Great Lakes in the east, where hills weakened by deforestation put residents at risk[1]. In fact, back in 2023, floods in Lake Kivu, also in South Kivu, had already claimed 400 lives[1].
Around 6.9 million people in West and Central Africa have been affected by heavy rains and severe flooding in 2024[4]. As a country with an equatorial climate and one of the poorest in the world, the DRC is exceptionally susceptible to these weather-related calamities, due to its chaotic urbanization and insufficient infrastructure[1].
Climate change plays a significant role in these disasters, with experts predicting that extreme events will become more frequent and intense on the continent[1]. By 2030, up to 118 million very poor Africans will find themselves exposed to drought, floods, and extreme heat[1].
Stay informed about this unfolding humanitarian crisis! Let's aim for better urban planning and environmental management to reduce the odds of such disasters striking again. Condolences to the families who have lost loved ones in this tragedy.
Sources:
- AFP
- Bernard Akili, the chief of the sector of Nganja
- Another local civil society actor
- UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Weather-related calamities continue to plague the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with the recent flood disaster in Bukavu adding to the general-news headlines. According to reports, the disaster also resulted in accidents, such as fires that were started due to electrocution or short-circuiting caused by the floodwaters.
