A new humanitarian tragedy struck eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday, with at least 13 people killed and more than 30 still missing, after a horrific landslide hit the region following a wave of bad weather.
In detailing the incident, Descartes Akilimale, the sector head in the Borutsi district, told the media that the disaster occurred after hours of continuous heavy rainfall, which saturated the soil and caused it to collapse. The local official explained that the landslide severed the vital main road linking the strategic city of Goma with Walikale, the provincial capital, bringing traffic to a complete standstill and isolating the affected areas.
Rescue and infrastructure challenges
Akilimale confirmed that local authorities had urgently requested assistance from the central government and emergency teams, but the situation on the ground was extremely complex. The closure of the road to Goma due to rock and mudslides hampered the government's ability to respond quickly, reducing the chances of finding survivors among the missing and preventing the arrival of heavy machinery needed to clear the debris.
The geographical and climatic context of disasters in Congo
This incident is part of a series of natural disasters that frequently strike the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly in the eastern regions such as North and South Kivu. These areas are characterized by mountainous terrain and fragile soil, making them prone to landslides during periods of heavy seasonal rains. Eastern Congo suffers from weak infrastructure and a lack of modern urban planning in remote areas, which exacerbates the human and material losses incurred during such disasters.
Expected economic and humanitarian impact
This landslide is expected to have widespread economic and humanitarian repercussions at the local level. The road linking Goma and Walikale is a vital economic artery for transporting goods, food, and minerals in the region. The disruption of this road means supply chains will be broken, prices of basic commodities will rise in isolated areas, and the transfer of the sick and injured to major hospitals in Goma will be extremely difficult.
At the regional level, this incident highlights once again the challenges facing Central African countries in dealing with climate change, which has led to an increase in the severity and frequency of extreme weather events, calling for international action to support these countries in improving their infrastructure and early warning systems for natural disasters.
