At least 29 killed as unseasonal heavy rains devastate DRC capital Kinshasa
Although the country is currently in its dry season, local media quoted meteorological authorities as saying that rainfall reached 90 millimetres.
At least 29 people were killed over the weekend by heavy rains in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), local authorities said Monday.
Unusual downpours in the dry season caused major damage in the city, flooding roads, crippling infrastructure and triggering widespread power and water outages.
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Evacuation and temporary resettlement efforts were underway, said Kinshasa governor Daniel Bumba, who also urged locals to enhance disaster awareness and take preventive measures.
Although the country is currently in its dry season, local media quoted meteorological authorities as saying that rainfall reached 90 millimetres, the highest for this time of year in recent years.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo's rainy season runs from November to May.
Heavy rains are projected to continue in the days ahead and could cause further damage to the city of 17 million.
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