Kinshasa, April 7, 2025 — Torrential rains battered the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, triggering widespread flooding that has left at least 22 people dead and dozens injured. Homes were swept away, streets turned into rivers, and thousands of residents displaced as the city struggles to cope with increasingly extreme weather patterns.
Heavy rainfall began late Sunday evening and intensified through the night, overwhelming Kinshasa’s poorly maintained drainage systems. Entire neighborhoods in low-lying areas such as Ngaliema, Limete, and Selembao were submerged, with some families reportedly stranded on rooftops awaiting rescue.
Emergency services, already stretched thin, are coordinating efforts with local volunteers to search for missing persons and provide temporary shelters. Authorities have confirmed that several children are among the casualties, while others remain unaccounted for. Power outages and road blockages have also severely disrupted transport and communication across the city. 
Environmental experts point to climate change and poor urban infrastructure as major contributing factors. Kinshasa, home to over 15 million people, has experienced recurrent flooding in recent years, often with deadly consequences. Rapid urban expansion, lack of proper zoning, and deforestation in catchment areas have significantly increased the city’s vulnerability to flash floods.
As Kinshasa mourns its losses, the tragedy reignites urgent calls for climate adaptation, resilient infrastructure, and better city planning. With weather patterns growing more unpredictable across Africa, the question is no longer if such disasters will strike again — but when, and how prepared cities will be to respond.
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