In the eastern city of Bukavu, located in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a severe flooding event linked to heavy rains resulted in a tragic loss of life during the early hours of Tuesday into Wednesday. Authorities report that at least 21 people died as floodwaters surged through homes and streets, overwhelming the city’s infrastructure and emergency response capabilities.
Local officials quoted by Bukavu’s mayor, Zénon Karumba, confirmed that 21 lives had been lost, with 15 of the deceased subsequently brought to the morgue of the Bukavu General Referral Hospital. The catastrophe has prompted urgent warnings and calls for residents to relocate from high-risk zones, as authorities continue to monitor the rainfall and assess the evolving danger to communities already vulnerable to flash flooding and existing erosion problems.
The mayor attributed the disaster to a combination of factors, including uncontrolled construction in unsuitable locations and dense settlement patterns that leave limited space for water to flow during heavy downpours. He urged residents who remain in high-risk areas to evacuate promptly, stressing that the rainfall is ongoing and could intensify. As officials work to coordinate relief efforts, displaced families face the immediate challenges of shelter, food, and access to medical care, underscoring the need for rapid humanitarian assistance and long-term land-use planning to reduce future risk.
Seasonal flood cycles have long brought repeated damage to Bukavu, the provincial capital of South Kivu. With a population surpassing one million, the city continues to grapple with aging drainage systems, informal housing settlements, and frequent, sometimes torrential, rainfall that tests the capacity of local services to respond effectively. This latest incident compounds ongoing concerns about resilience and the ability of authorities to safeguard residents amid increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.
Earlier in the month, additional heavy rains in the mountainous terrain surrounding Bukavu resulted in at least 15 fatalities linked to the heavy precipitation and associated erosion. The pattern of rainfall-driven hazards has persisted over recent weeks, aggravating property losses and jeopardizing livelihoods for families already grappling with economic hardship and displacement caused by prior floods.
Additionally, on the previous Sunday, reports indicated that at least 22 people lost their lives to landslides triggered by rain in several districts within South Kivu, including Bitanga, Bigombe, and Mazozo. The convergence of rainfall, unstable soil, and hillside communities has highlighted the urgency of improving early warning systems, enforcing safer construction practices, and investing in infrastructure capable of withstanding seasonal floods. Authorities continue to assess the broader impact and plan comprehensive responses to protect vulnerable residents against future disasters.