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DR Congo: Floods and Landslides - May 2023

Disaster description

Very heavy rainfall has been affecting the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC, also known as Congo-Kinshasa), in particular the South Kivu Province (bordering with Rwanda and Burundi), over the last week, causing rivers to overflow (particularly Cibira/Cabondo and Nyamukubi Rivers) and flash floods that have resulted in casualties and severe damage. The worst affected area is the Kalehe Territory (north-eastern part of South Kivu Province). Media report, as of 8 May, up to 400 unconfirmed fatalities, with an uncertain number of persons still missing and dozens of houses destroyed across the Kalehe Territory. Over the next 24 hours, more heavy rainfall is forecast over the whole South Kivu Province. (ECHO, 8 May 2023)

From 2 to 5 May 2023, torrential rains fell in the localities of Bushushu, Nyamukubi, Luzira and Chabondo in the Kalehe territory of South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This caused the Lukungula, Kabushungu, Kanyunyi and Chishova rivers to burst their banks, resulting in flooding and landslides in Bushushu and Nyamukubi. More than four hundred people have been reported dead from that incident, thousands of people are missing and huge losses in livelihoods, infrastructure and materials were recorded. On 9th May, the DRC Red Cross assessment revealed that Bushushu and Nyamukubi were the areas most affected by the floods across South Kivu Province from 2nd May. Bushushu and Nyamukubi health areas have experienced shocking floods and landslides. Around 50,000 people were affected and need food assistance in the flood zone (WFP, 12 May), 3,000 houses were destroyed (with 1,200 completely destroyed), the affected people are still in the sites. (IFRC, 23 May 2023)

As of 27 May 2023, more than 443 people have died as result of the massive flooding and mudslides in Bushushu and Nyamukubi in Kalehe territory in South Kivu province, and more than 2,536 people are still missing. Overall, 4,653 household have been directly affected while 2,094 households host other families. (UNICEF, 05 Jun 2023)

A landslide triggered by the heavy rainfall that has been affecting the north-western Democratic Republic of the Congo occurred on 17 September in Lisal City, north-western Mongala Province, leading to casualties. According to media, as of 17 September, at least 17 people died, some people are still trapped under the debris and several houses have been destroyed along the Congo River. The toll is still provisional. For the next 24 hours, heavy rainfall is still forecast over northern and central Democratic Republic of the Congo, with locally very heavy rainfall in the northern part of the country. (ECHO, 18 Sep 2023)

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