As heavy skies unleash torrents of rain, the earth mourns in silence. From Central to East Africa, floods have ravaged communities, sweeping away homes, lives, and hope.
Tragedy in Congo – At Least 62 Dead, 50 Missing
In the South Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, torrential rains caused flash floods that killed at least 62 people and left 50 more missing, as several villages along the shores of Lake Tanganyika were completely submerged.
Provincial Health Minister Theophile Valulika Muzaliva stated that rescue efforts have been severely hampered by poor infrastructure and disrupted communication lines.
“The Red Cross is currently the only humanitarian organization on the ground. It is impossible to give a full assessment while bodies are still being searched for,” he said.
This tragedy follows another deadly flood in Kinshasa just last month, where 33 people lost their lives. The ongoing conflict between government forces and rebel groups in eastern Congo continues to intensify what is already one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
Somalia Flooded – Seven Confirmed Dead, Many Stranded
In Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, heavy overnight rains led to flash floods that killed at least seven people, cut off major roads, and temporarily halted operations at the Aden Adde International Airport.
“Nine houses collapsed, six major roads were severely damaged, and several people are still trapped in their homes,” said regional spokesperson Abdinasir Hirsi Aidid, speaking to the Associated Press. “Some survivors spent the night on rooftops, trembling from the cold.”
Local resident Mohamed Hassan described the terrifying night:
“We spent the night on rooftops, shivering in the cold. I haven’t even had breakfast. Some elderly people remain stranded.”
Somalia has been severely impacted by extreme climate change, enduring prolonged droughts followed by devastating rains and floods.
