One person was killed and two went missing after flash floods hit the city of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Floods have also affected areas in the neighboring province of North Kivu.
At the same time, flooding also occurred in western Uganda, with two deaths reported.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Heavy rain caused flash flooding in Bukavu on 19 August 2021. Widespread damage was reported, including collapsed houses and destroyed roads. Local media reported that one person died in flood waters in Kadutu commune, one person went missing after flooding in the Panzi area and another in the Simpunda area.
Meanwhile, in the neighboring province of North Kivu, the Nyakariba River overflowed its banks in Rutshuru territory on 20 August as a result of heavy rain. Flood waters, debris and mud flooded homes and crops, affecting 200 families. Five people were injured, but no deaths were reported.
Uganda and Rwanda
North Kivu borders Uganda, where recent flooding in the Kasese area killed 2 people. Local media reported that the Nyamugasana, Dungulukha and Mubuku rivers overflowed their banks on 15 August, displacing 20 families from their homes.
In May of this year and in July, floods and landslides were observed in the area. More than 1,000 people displaced by recent floods are reported to live in a tent camp in Karusandar in cramped conditions.
The province of South Kivu borders Rwanda, which has also experienced heavy rainfall since around 19 August. In Ruhengeri, 99 mm of precipitation fell in the 24 hours before August 20.