The Congo River has risen to its highest level in over 60 years, leading to flooding throughout the Democratic Republic of Congo–DRC and Congo Republic that has seen over 300 people killed within the past few months, according to authorities.
Substandard urban planning and weak infrastructure have made some African countries susceptible to flash floods after heavy rains, which have become more constant due to the climate change.
Ferry Mowa, a hydrology specialist at the DRC riverways authority, told Reuters that his office had flagged the high water level in late December. Mowa has warned that almost the entire flood plain of the capital Kinshasa, which sits on the banks of the river, could be affected.
On Wednesday, the river rose to 6.20 meters (20.34 feet) above sea level, just a little below the 1961 record of 6.26 meters.
It is very important that the people who live around the river pack up their things and move”, Mowa said.
Several neighbourhoods in DRC’s densely populated Kinshasa have been submerged, as well as the communities in over a dozen provinces, the social affairs ministry announced.
Over 300 people have been killed as a result, with 300,000 households being affected and tens of thousands of houses ruined, the ministry revealed in a statement last week.
