Equateur: Material damage recorded after torrential rain in Mbandaka

Mbandaka, October 1^st, 2025 (CPA).-  Material damage has been reported on Wednesday after torrential rain in the Carriere neighbourhood of Mbandaka, in the province of Equateur, in the north-west of the Democratic Republic of Congo. ‘Four roofs supported by large posts collapsed after the rains, one in the morning and three during the day. The main cause is the rotten wood supporting the roof,’ explained Charles Bomolo, head of the Carriere neighbourhood in the municipality of Mbandaka. ‘We are in a marshy neighbourhood where humidity is constant. Water perforates our pavements in the event of flooding or regular heavy rains. We have always advised residents to build solid houses to avoid the risks associated with the constant presence of water,’ he has added. According to Charles Bomolo, the neighbourhood’s population is accustomed to installing roofs on houses before construction. Some roofs are placed on straw houses inhabited by entire families, which poses a permanent danger in the event of destruction. « This situation is traumatic. It takes a lot of money to install a roof. Now everything has to be redone. It’s a disaster for the family, » has lamented Rachel Mboyo, a victim. Only material losses have been reported for this damage. It should be noted that the Carriere neighbourhood is located in a marshy area on the western outskirts of the city of Mbandaka. Humidity and flooding are recurrent problems there.