At least 33 people have lost their lives after torrential rains triggered devastating floods in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to local officials. The disaster has left desperate residents scrambling to escape rising floodwaters, with many wading, swimming, or paddling to safety in makeshift canoes.  

Home to 17 million people, Kinshasa sits along the Congo River, one of the largest rivers in the world, which has recently reached its highest water level in six decades. Flooding is a recurring issue in the city, but experts warn that the climate crisis is exacerbating the severity of such events.  

The overnight deluge from Friday into Saturday swept away numerous homes in western Kinshasa, leaving entire neighborhoods submerged. The capital’s mayor reported that nearly half of the city’s 26 districts have been affected, with search and rescue teams deployed to assist those trapped by the rising waters.  

The worst-hit areas include the city’s outskirts and some of its poorest communities, where infrastructure is already fragile. "The water has reached 1.5 meters high. We have just managed to save ourselves, but the rest are trapped in their homes," said Christophe Bola, a resident of the Ndanu area.  

Anger is mounting among local residents, who accuse authorities of being slow to respond and failing to provide adequate assistance. The floods have also disrupted water supplies across much of Kinshasa after water treatment pumps were inundated by the floodwaters.  

Critical transportation routes have been severely impacted. The city’s busiest road, linking the center to the international airport, is now impassable, as is a section of the motorway connecting Kinshasa to Matadi, the country’s main port.  

Deputy President Jacquemain Shabani confirmed that the N'djili River, a tributary of the Congo River, has burst its banks, trapping numerous residents. The N'djili is one of the city’s most polluted waterways, with Congolese scientists warning of dangerously high levels of fecal matter and other waste.  

Kinshasa’s poor sewage maintenance and lack of urban planning have long been criticized, with the government announcing plans last year to address these systemic issues. However, progress has been slow, leaving the city vulnerable to recurring disasters.  

As the cleanup and recovery efforts begin, heavy downpours are forecast to continue, with north and northeastern DR Congo expected to face similar challenges in the coming days.  

The tragedy underscores the urgent need for improved infrastructure and climate resilience in one of Africa’s most populous cities, as extreme weather events become increasingly frequent and severe.