The Congo River has risen to its highest level in more than 60 years, causing flooding throughout the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Congo Republic that has killed more than 300 people over the past months.

At least 300 dead as Congo River basin submerged by generational floods

While residents and rescuers continued looking for survivors in the Democratic Republic Of Congo, aid workers found more bodies among the muddy devastation and wounded residents succumbed to their injuries in an under-equipped local clinic. Hem Kaur Saroya brings you the report...

Floods, landslides kill over 400 in Eastern Congo

The death toll from the floods that devastated two villages in Congo last week has climbed to 401, news agency Reuters reported on Monday (May 8), citing a provincial governor, as more bodies were recovered. The villages of Bushushu and Nyamukubi in Kalehe territory, South Kivu province were flooded last Thursday (May 4) after days of torrential rain triggered landslides and caused rivers to break their banks.

Speaking to Reuters, South Kivu governor Theo Ngwabidje Kasi said on Monday that the toll stood at 401, but did not provide any further details. Reuters reported that the government sent a delegation to Kalehe and declared Monday a day of national mourning with flags lowered at half-mast "in memory of the lost compatriots."

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Civil society in South Kivu, let us demand a dignified burial for our compatriots who died in Kalehe: exhume the bodies, identify them by DNA, bury them individually and not in a mass grave. The ministerial delegation from Kin must ensure that this is done. <a href="https://t.co/z8R97YUET2">https://t.co/z8R97YUET2</a>
— Denis Mukwege (@DenisMukwege) <a href="https://twitter.com/DenisMukwege/status/1655478105073504258?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Sunday that 270 people died due to floods with over 300 still unaccounted for. The OCHA added that around 3,000 families lost their homes.&nbsp;

More than 8,800 people have been affected by the floods, the Congolese Red Cross said.&nbsp;

On Monday Congolese Nobel laureate Denis Mukwege called on the government to ensure victims were given a dignified burial. "Bury them individually and not in a mass grave," Mukwege tweeted, adding, the ministerial delegation from Kin must ensure that this is done.

The last incident of a similar scale in Congo occurred in October 2014, when heavy rainfall destroyed over 700 homes. The latest floods came just days after floods killed at least 131 people and destroyed more than 5,000 homes in neighbouring Rwanda.

On Saturday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condoled the loss of lives due to the "catastrophic floods" in both countries. During a visit to Burundi, Guterres described the floods as yet another illustration of accelerating climate change and its disastrous impact on countries that have done nothing to contribute to global warming.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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The death toll from the floods that devastated two villages in Congo last week has climbed to 401, news agency Reuters reported on Monday (May 8), citing a provincial governor, as more bodies were recovered.

The death toll from the floods that devastated two villages in Congo last week has climbed to 401, news agency Reuters reported on Monday (May 8), citing a provincial governor, as more bodies were recovered. The villages of Bushushu and Nyamukubi in Kalehe territory, South Kivu province were flooded last Thursday (May 4) after days of torrential rain triggered landslides and caused rivers to break their banks. Speaking to Reuters, South Kivu governor Theo Ngwabidje Kasi said on Monday that the toll stood at 401, but did not provide any further details. Reuters reported that the government sent a delegation to Kalehe and declared Monday a day of national mourning with flags lowered at half-mast "in memory of the lost compatriots." Civil society in South Kivu, let us demand a dignified burial for our compatriots who died in Kalehe: exhume the bodies, identify them by DNA, bury them individually and not in a mass grave. The ministerial delegation from Kin must ensure that this is done. https://t.co/z8R97YUET2 — Denis Mukwege (@DenisMukwege) May 8, 2023 × Meanwhile, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Sunday that 270 people died due to floods with over 300 still unaccounted for. The OCHA added that around 3,000 families lost their homes. More than 8,800 people have been affected by the floods, the Congolese Red Cross said. On Monday Congolese Nobel laureate Denis Mukwege called on the government to ensure victims were given a dignified burial. "Bury them individually and not in a mass grave," Mukwege tweeted, adding, the ministerial delegation from Kin must ensure that this is done. The last incident of a similar scale in Congo occurred in October 2014, when heavy rainfall destroyed over 700 homes. The latest floods came just days after floods killed at least 131 people and destroyed more than 5,000 homes in neighbouring Rwanda. On Saturday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condoled the loss of lives due to the "catastrophic floods" in both countries. During a visit to Burundi, Guterres described the floods as yet another illustration of accelerating climate change and its disastrous impact on countries that have done nothing to contribute to global warming. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Congo floods: Death toll climbs to 401; over 8,800 people affected

At least 176 people have died after flash floods in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s South Kivu province, said local authorities, on Friday (May 5). This also comes days after flooding and landslides triggered by heavy rains killed more than 100 people in neighbouring Rwanda.

What is happening in Congo?

Flash floods triggered by heavy rains have devastated the Congo’s South Kivu province and even caused a river to overflow on Thursday which has since led to significant damage and loss of life in the villages of Bushushu and Nyamukubi, said the provincial government, in a statement.&nbsp;

South Kivu Governor Théo Ngwabidje Kasi put the death toll at 176 and said that other people were still missing, while a local civil society member, Kasole Martin, said 227 bodies had been found. “People are sleeping out in the open, schools and hospitals have been swept away,” said Martin, as quoted by Reuters.&nbsp;

Reportedly, as the weather had somewhat cleared on Friday, flattened houses and corrugated iron roofs jutting out from beneath thick layers of mud were seen, while haggard-looking survivors stood outside a wooden shed in which Red Cross workers placed bodies on top of each other.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Archimede Karhebwa, the assistant administrator of South Kivu’s Kalehe territory, which was also hit by the floods, told AFP that about 100 people had died, adding that several villages in Kalehe, which lies west of Lake Kivu, were submerged when rivers burst their banks after heavy rains.&nbsp;

Speaking to AFP, the official also said how the floods “surprised vendors and their clients in the markets” as they swept away hundreds of houses. The heavy rains, as per officials, began late Thursday afternoon before the “river carried away villagers”.&nbsp;

An elected official from Kalehe territory, Vital Muhini, speaking on local radio said that the floods have caused “devastating human and material damage.” According to Karhebwa, deforestation in the area has contributed to the flooding problem as the rivers have burst their banks and caused disastrous flooding on four previous occasions.&nbsp;

He added, “We are sending out an SOS to people of good will and for urgent humanitarian aid,” as quoted by AFP. However, floods and landslides are not uncommon occurrences in South Kivu.

The recent floods come nearly a decade after heavy rain destroyed more than 700 homes and more than 130 people were reported missing at the time, reported Reuters, citing United Nations. Additionally, just a month after at least 21 people died and several were reported missing in a landslide in North Kivu province.

What happened in Rwanda?

Flooding and landslides triggered by heavy rains, as of Thursday, have killed more than 130 people and destroyed more than 5,000 homes, said a government spokesperson.&nbsp;

“So far, we have recorded 130 deaths. Additionally, there are 77 injuries, with 36 of those individuals currently in the hospital. We also have five people missing,” said deputy government spokesperson, Alain Mukuralinda, as quoted by Reuters.&nbsp;

He added that floods had also completely destroyed over 5,100 houses and affected an additional 2,500, and the people who were living in those homes needed to now be relocated. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Édouard Ngirente, during his visit to the affected areas in western Rwanda said that the death toll could rise as some bodies were still buried in the mud.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
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At least 176 people have died after flash floods in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s South Kivu province, said local authorities, on Friday (May 5). This also comes days after flooding and landslides triggered by heavy rains killed more than 100 people in neighbouring Rwanda.

At least 176 people have died after flash floods in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s South Kivu province, said local authorities, on Friday (May 5). This also comes days after flooding and landslides triggered by heavy rains killed more than 100 people in neighbouring Rwanda. What is happening in Congo? Flash floods triggered by heavy rains have devastated the Congo’s South Kivu province and even caused a river to overflow on Thursday which has since led to significant damage and loss of life in the villages of Bushushu and Nyamukubi, said the provincial government, in a statement. South Kivu Governor Théo Ngwabidje Kasi put the death toll at 176 and said that other people were still missing, while a local civil society member, Kasole Martin, said 227 bodies had been found. “People are sleeping out in the open, schools and hospitals have been swept away,” said Martin, as quoted by Reuters. Reportedly, as the weather had somewhat cleared on Friday, flattened houses and corrugated iron roofs jutting out from beneath thick layers of mud were seen, while haggard-looking survivors stood outside a wooden shed in which Red Cross workers placed bodies on top of each other. Meanwhile, Archimede Karhebwa, the assistant administrator of South Kivu’s Kalehe territory, which was also hit by the floods, told AFP that about 100 people had died, adding that several villages in Kalehe, which lies west of Lake Kivu, were submerged when rivers burst their banks after heavy rains. Speaking to AFP, the official also said how the floods “surprised vendors and their clients in the markets” as they swept away hundreds of houses. The heavy rains, as per officials, began late Thursday afternoon before the “river carried away villagers”. An elected official from Kalehe territory, Vital Muhini, speaking on local radio said that the floods have caused “devastating human and material damage.” According to Karhebwa, deforestation in the area has contributed to the flooding problem as the rivers have burst their banks and caused disastrous flooding on four previous occasions. He added, “We are sending out an SOS to people of good will and for urgent humanitarian aid,” as quoted by AFP. However, floods and landslides are not uncommon occurrences in South Kivu. The recent floods come nearly a decade after heavy rain destroyed more than 700 homes and more than 130 people were reported missing at the time, reported Reuters, citing United Nations. Additionally, just a month after at least 21 people died and several were reported missing in a landslide in North Kivu province. What happened in Rwanda? Flooding and landslides triggered by heavy rains, as of Thursday, have killed more than 130 people and destroyed more than 5,000 homes, said a government spokesperson. “So far, we have recorded 130 deaths. Additionally, there are 77 injuries, with 36 of those individuals currently in the hospital. We also have five people missing,” said deputy government spokesperson, Alain Mukuralinda, as quoted by Reuters. He added that floods had also completely destroyed over 5,100 houses and affected an additional 2,500, and the people who were living in those homes needed to now be relocated. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Édouard Ngirente, during his visit to the affected areas in western Rwanda said that the death toll could rise as some bodies were still buried in the mud. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Nearly 200 people killed, several missing after flash floods in eastern Congo

More than 200,000 people have been affected by floods that have ravaged Republic of Congo since last year, authorities said Saturday.

The government has issued an urgent international appeal after the flooding along the Congo and Ubangi rivers in the country's north, inundating communities and washing away homes and cattle.&nbsp;

President Denis Sassou Nguesso has blamed the weather disaster on "climate disruption" and declared "a state of natural disaster and humanitarian emergency".&nbsp;

On Saturday the government appealed for further help as the number of people affected by the heavy flooding jumped to 213,000 from an earlier estimate of 170,000.&nbsp;

"The challenges are enormous and we are working to provide an effective response. We hope our partners will help us," Christian Aboke-Ndza, cabinet director at the ministry of humanitarian affairs told AFP.&nbsp;

Dozens of people were killed after the floods hit in late 2019, while diseases linked to the flooding have also emerged in some badly-hit areas of the country, also known as Congo-Brazzaville.&nbsp;

The UN has said more than $30.5 million (27.6 million euros) is needed to address the crisis.&nbsp;

Some $7 million has been secured, said Cyr Modeste Kouame from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.&nbsp;

Several hundred tonnes of food aid have been distributed by the World Food Programme (WFP) in the area along with cash transfers worth around 300,000 euros ($330,000).&nbsp;

But some warned it was not enough. &nbsp;&nbsp;

"Unfortunately, we see today that these efforts are not sufficient," WFP's Congo Brazzaville director Jean-Martin Bauer said.&nbsp;

"The scale and severity of the crisis and its duration over time have been underestimated."&nbsp;

More than 200,000 people have been affected by floods that have ravaged Republic of Congo since last year, authorities said Saturday. The government has issued an urgent international appeal after the flooding along the Congo and Ubangi rivers in the country's north, inundating communities and washing away homes and cattle.

More than 200,000 people have been affected by floods that have ravaged Republic of Congo since last year, authorities said Saturday. The government has issued an urgent international appeal after the flooding along the Congo and Ubangi rivers in the country's north, inundating communities and washing away homes and cattle. President Denis Sassou Nguesso has blamed the weather disaster on "climate disruption" and declared "a state of natural disaster and humanitarian emergency". On Saturday the government appealed for further help as the number of people affected by the heavy flooding jumped to 213,000 from an earlier estimate of 170,000. "The challenges are enormous and we are working to provide an effective response. We hope our partners will help us," Christian Aboke-Ndza, cabinet director at the ministry of humanitarian affairs told AFP. Dozens of people were killed after the floods hit in late 2019, while diseases linked to the flooding have also emerged in some badly-hit areas of the country, also known as Congo-Brazzaville. The UN has said more than $30.5 million (27.6 million euros) is needed to address the crisis. Some $7 million has been secured, said Cyr Modeste Kouame from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Several hundred tonnes of food aid have been distributed by the World Food Programme (WFP) in the area along with cash transfers worth around 300,000 euros ($330,000). But some warned it was not enough. "Unfortunately, we see today that these efforts are not sufficient," WFP's Congo Brazzaville director Jean-Martin Bauer said. "The scale and severity of the crisis and its duration over time have been underestimated."

More than 200,000 hit by Congo floods

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