Over 100 dead as flooding submerges village in DR Congo
Listen to article
More than 100 people have died after flooding in a village near the shores of Lake Tanganyika in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a local official said.
The flooding, which affected the village of Kasaba, comes at a vulnerable moment for the Central African nation. Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have intensified an offensive in the eastern region since the start of the year, with thousands killed in fighting in the first two months of the year.
Samy Kalodji, administrator of Fizi territory in South Kivu province where the village is located, said late on Saturday that reports from the area "indicated more than 100 deaths."
The affected area is still under the administration of Kinshasa and is not among the zones taken by M23.
Didier Luganywa, spokesperson for the South Kivu government, said in a statement the flooding incident occurred between Thursday night and Friday when torrential rains and strong winds caused the Kasaba river to overflow its banks.
The statement gave a toll of 62 confirmed deaths with 30 injured.
Local officials said the Kasaba area was only accessible via Lake Tanganyika and was not covered by the mobile phone network, which could delay humanitarian relief efforts.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
08-08-2025
- Express Tribune
At least 10 dead, 33 missing after flash floods in China's Gansu province
A drone view shows flooded houses and fish farms after days of heavy rainfall, in Qingyuan, Guangdong province, China August 8, 2025. PHOTO:REUTERS Listen to article Ten people are dead and 33 missing after flash floods and mudslides in northwest China's Gansu province, state media reported Friday, the latest in a series of lethal weather events to hit the country. Natural disasters are common across China, particularly in the summer, when some regions experience heavy rain while others bake in searing heat. Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered "utmost effort" in rescuing the missing people on Friday, state broadcaster CCTV said. Due to the "frequent occurrence of extreme weather", Xi ordered all regions to "resolutely overcome complacency" and strengthen efforts to identify risks, the broadcaster added. Read More: NDMA flags looming flood threat From August 7, "continuous heavy rain" in Gansu triggered flash floods, with the death toll on Friday afternoon standing at 10, CCTV said. Local authorities had issued the highest-level emergency warning for flash floods overnight. A video shared by the Communist Party-backed People's Daily showed more than a dozen rescuers clinging to a rope as they pushed through torrents of mud, while photos posted by Gansu's government showed roads covered in silt and large stones. Heavy rains trapped 4,000 people living in the mountainous Xinglong area and pushed garbage into roads, CCTV reported earlier Friday. Three people were missing after a mudslide in Maliantan village, it said. Footage shared by Chinese fire authorities on Weibo showed rescuers in Maliantan guiding people through rushing grey water. Beijing's top economic planner said it was allocating 100 million yuan ($14 million) towards disaster relief in Gansu. Local weather authorities at midday on Friday predicted more rain in some areas, including near the Yellow River -- China's second-biggest waterway. The country's south has also experienced torrential downpours this week. Also Read: Chinese expertise to fuel dam development CCTV reported Friday that all seven people missing after a landslide in Guangdong province had been killed. Ten of thousands of people were evacuated across Guangdong this week, with heavy rains flooding residential neighbourhoods and shops. The government has also allocated 100 million yuan toward recovery efforts there, the National Development and Reform Commission said. Last month, heavy rains in northern Beijing killed 44 people, with the capital's rural suburbs hit the hardest. A landslide in a village in Hebei province, which encircles Beijing, killed another eight people. Scientists warn the intensity and frequency of global extreme weather events will increase as the planet continues to heat up because of fossil fuel emissions. China is the world's biggest emitter, but it is also a global renewable energy powerhouse that aims to make its massive economy carbon-neutral by 2060.
Express Tribune
06-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Heavy rains kill four in K-P as NDMA warns of more monsoon flooding
Commuters struggle to move forward in a flooded street after heavy monsoon rains in Karachi on August 27, 2020. Photo: Anadolu Agency/ File At least five people, including two women and two children, were killed and four children were injured in separate rain-related incidents as flash floods swept across Khyber-Paktunkhwa, according to the provincial disaster management authority (PDMA). District authorities and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) have issued a fresh alert warning of flash and riverine flooding in parts of the country due to moderate to heavy monsoon rains forecast between July 6 and 10. Heavy rain and flash flooding have claimed at least 21 lives — including 10 children — in K-P since the monsoon season began last month. According to PDMA, 14 of the deceased died in the Swat Valley, where flash flood swept away families gathered near a riverbank. In its latest report issued on Sunday, PDMA stated that five people, including one man, two women and two children, were killed and fourth others were injured in rain-related incidents across the province. Read: PMD warns of thunderstorms, flash floods in K-P The provincial authority said at least one house was completely destroyed and three others were partially damaged due to torrential rains and floodwaters. These incidents occurred in Buner, Mohmand and Charsadda districts. A PDMA spokesperson said district administrations have been directed to provide immediate assistance to affected families and ensure the best possible medical care for the injured. Flood warning issued According to the National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), the current weather system is being fuelled by moisture from the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea, along with a prevailing westerly wave. Read more: Karachi's Lyari building collapse claims 27 lives as rescue operation concludes Heavy rainfall is expected in central and northeastern Punjab, lower Sindh, central K-P, Balochistan, AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan. Rivers Indus, Chenab, and Kabul are likely to see rising water levels, with low flood already observed at Tarbela, Kalabagh and Chashma. Flash floods are also feared in the tributaries of Swat, Panjkora, Jhelum, Chitral and streams from the Pir Panjal and Kirthar ranges, especially affecting districts such as Awaran, Khuzdar and Jhal Magsi. Residents in vulnerable areas have been advised to stay alert, avoid flooded routes and move valuables to higher ground. Urban administrations have been told to ensure dewatering machinery is in place. NDMA said it remains in contact with provincial and district authorities and urged citizens to follow official advisories and use the Disaster Alert App for real-time updates.
Express Tribune
29-06-2025
- Express Tribune
More rains predicted across country till July 5, with heavy rainfall forecast for Hyderabad and Karachi from July 2
Commuters struggle to move forward in a flooded street after heavy monsoon rains in Karachi on August 27, 2020. Photo: Anadolu Agency Listen to article National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC), a unit of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), has issued multiple impact-based weather alerts as the country braces for widespread rain, strong winds, and thunderstorms from June 29 to July 5. The NEOC warned that heavy rainfall could trigger urban flooding, flash floods, and landslides in several regions, including Kashmir, northeast Punjab, the Potohar region, Islamabad, and upper and central Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. 'Urban flooding is likely in low-lying areas of Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera, Kohat, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad—particularly from 9:00 pm to 4:00 am on June 29,' the alert stated. نیشنل ایمرجنسیز آپریشن سینٹر کے مطابق 29 جون سے 5 جولائی تک ملک بھر میں شدید مون سون بارشوں اور ممکنہ سیلاب کا خطرہ۔ کشمیر گلگت بلتستان، اسلام آباد، پوٹھوہار: ایبٹ آباد، مانسہرہ، ہری پور، بالاکوٹ، مری، گلیات میں موسلادھار بارش، لینڈ سلائیڈنگ اور ندی نالوں میں طغیانی کا خدشہ — NDMA PAKISTAN (@ndmapk) June 29, 2025 Rain-related emergencies may also emerge in the districts of Jhelum, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Lahore, and Faisalabad, while significant rainfall in the Sargodha Division may lead to localised flooding. In northern areas, including Hazara and Malakand divisions in K-P, and the Jhelum and Poonch valleys of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, flash flooding and landslides are possible. NEOC warned of low-level flooding in the River Kabul at Nowshera, as well as medium flows in the Swat River. Similar risks were identified in tributaries and glacial streams in Chitral and Hunza, including the Khunjerab, Ghujerab, and Braldu rivers. 'Transportation in hilly and mountainous areas could be disrupted, along with communication and electricity services,' the statement warned. Read More: Karachi cools down as first spell of monsoon rains hits city Heavy to very heavy rainfall is also forecast for southern Sindh, particularly Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, and Karachi, where the risk of urban flooding is expected to rise sharply from July 2 onward. NDMA has called on all provincial and district administrations to remain on high alert, activate contingency plans, and ensure warnings are communicated in local languages. 'Citizens are urged to stay informed through official advisories, avoid travelling near rivers and glacial streams, and keep emergency supplies ready,' it added. It also encouraged the public to download the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert App for real-time updates.
