Flooding in Kinshasa kills at least 30, disrupts infrastructure

Severe flooding in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, has resulted in at least 30 confirmed deaths and significant infrastructure damage, as heavy rains overwhelmed drainage systems and caused the Ndjili River to overflow. Authorities reported that many victims drowned or died when their homes collapsed, with numerous neighborhoods left underwater and major roads, including access to N'djili International Airport, severely disrupted. Emergency services continue search and rescue operations, with many residents displaced and housed in temporary shelters. Kinshasa's governor has attributed part of the disaster to inadequate housing and urban planning, threatening to remove illegal settlements in vulnerable areas. Heavy rain is expected to persist, raising concerns about further flooding and exacerbating the city's already precarious situation amid ongoing regional instability. The flooding highlights the need for improved infrastructure in a city of approximately 17 million people, which is frequently affected by such disasters.