At least 41 die in heavy rains, landslides in Congo

Kinshasa (Congo):  At least 41 people have been reportedly killed in the latest heavy rains and landslides that have affected almost 4,30,000 people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a UN spokesman said on Wednesday.

"The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that torrential rains since October along the Ubangi River have caused flooding, impacting nearly 4,30,000 people," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

"Yesterday (Tuesday) alone, heavy rains and landslides in the capital Kinshasa reportedly killed at least 41 people," the spokesman was quoted as saying by the Xinhua news agency.

Assessments across the country are ongoing to find out the scale of the floods and the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance, he said, adding that a response plan is being developed.

The spokesman said the response plan is being drawn up "by the government with the support from the UN and our partners, prioritizing shelter, water and sanitation and non-food items."

The UN offers its condolences to the families of the victims and stands ready to assist further the government of the DRC, he said.