Democratic Republic of the Congo Floods Lead to Nearly 200 Deaths

According to officials in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the past week’s heavy rainfall in the South Kivu province caused flash floods that claimed approximately 200 lives.

The rainfall on Thursday reportedly caused rivers in South Kivu’s Kalehe territory to overflow, flooding many communities. This area is on the western shore of Lake Kivu.

A Kalehe elected official told a nearby radio station that at least 150 people had died, according to Agence France-Presse. 176 people were reported dead and others missing by the Reuters news service, who cited South Kivu Governor Theo Ngwabidje Kasi. A Reuters reporter identified 72 dead people.

In floods and mudslides caused by the extreme rainfall on Thursday, Rwanda, on the eastern shore of Lake Kivu, reported at least 130 fatalities and 77 injuries. More than 5,000 homes were destroyed, according to a government official.

Since late March, the area has experienced frequent, heavy rainfall. More rain is expected in the area during the next few days, according to the Rwanda Meteorology Agency.

Agence France-Presse and Reuters both contributed some information to this report.