Torrential rain cause deadly flash flood in Kinshasa DRC

Sentinel-1 CSAR IW acquired on 23 October 2019 at 04:35:24 UTC
Sentinel-1 CSAR IW acquired on 04 November 2019 at 04:35:24 UTC
Sentinel-1 CSAR IW acquired on 16 November 2019 at 04:35:24 UTC
Sentinel-1 CSAR IW acquired on 28 November 2019 at 04:35:24 UTC
Author(s): Sentinel Vision team, VisioTerra, France - svp@visioterra.fr
Keyword(s): Emergency, natural disaster, urban planning, infrastructure, precipitations, rainfalls, Congo, DRC
Fig. 1 - S2 (01.08.2019) - 11,8,2 colour composite - Kinshasa before the flood.
2D view
Fig. 2 - S1 (23.10, 04.11 & 16.11.2019) - vv,vh,ndi(vh,vv) colour composite - Mean of 3 dates before the flood.
2D view
Fig. 3 - S1 (28.11.2019) - vv,vh,ndi(vh,vv) colour composite - After the flood.
2D view
According to latest reports, 41 people have died since heavy rain struck overnight, 25 to 26 November, 2019, causing flash floods and landslides in the city of Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Local media said several rivers in the city broke their banks, including the Ndjili River, causing damaging floods. The heavy rain also triggered several landslides which have destroyed roads, three bridges and hundreds of homes.
Fig. 4 - S1 (23.10, 04.11, 16.11 & 28.11.2019) - vv,vh,ndi(vh,vv) colour composite - Difference after - mean before.
2D view
Fatal floods and landslides are frequent in Kinshasa, a city of over 11 million population.
Fig. 5 - S1 (23.10, 04.11, 16.11 & 28.11.2019) - vv mean before, vh mean before, vv difference (mean before, after).
2D view
Many locals blame the city’s poor infrastructure, lack of adequate drainage and poor planning resulting in densely populated housing built in flood- or landslide-risk areas. Local observers says the city’s rivers and drainage channels are completely blocked with waste and debris.
The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Space Agency or the European Union.
Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data 2024, processed by VisioTerra.
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