Bunia, 30 January 2013 – The town of Bunia, the regional capital of the Ituri district, Province Orientale, has been under water since yesterday, after a heavy rainfall hit the northeastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The rare intensity of the downpour battering Bunia since the early morning hours of Wednesday, 30 January, caused an overflow of the local Nyamukau River, with the resulting floodwaters cutting throught the town. The floods destroyed several houses, swept away a considerable amount of property, and injured three people.
Over a hundred houses were submerged or swept away with the waters, according to Bunia’s mayor, who blamed the heavy damage on unlawful constructions, especially in the river bed. Stringent measures will soon be taken to discourage such uncontrolled constructions in the future, the mayor added.
Bilamekaso Tchagbele/ MONUSCO