Severe flooding leaves dozens dead across Angola

Dozens of people have lost their lives following severe flooding triggered by heavy rains across Angola, with the capital Luanda and the central city of Benguela among the hardest-hit areas.

Emergency services have confirmed at least 29 deaths, while more than 34,000 people have been affected by the disaster.

Local reports suggest the death toll may have risen further, with additional fatalities reported in other provinces.

Widespread destruction and infrastructure damage

The flooding has caused extensive damage to homes, roads, and critical infrastructure across the country.

Thousands of houses have been either flooded or destroyed, while key transport routes have been disrupted due to damaged roads, fallen trees, and collapsed electric poles.

A major incident was reported on the Hâlo River, where the collapse of a bridge pillar cut off traffic between Benguela and Huambo provinces.

Government response and emergency efforts

President João Lourenço expressed his condolences to the victims, describing the situation as a “race against time” to locate survivors and provide urgent medical assistance.

Authorities have mobilized multiple state agencies to respond to the crisis, focusing on rescue operations and support for displaced residents.

According to Angola’s Civil Protection and Fire Service, at least 17 people have been injured, while thousands have been forced to flee their homes.

Flooding worsens ongoing seasonal risks

Heavy rainfall is not unusual during the rainy season in southern Africa, but the intensity of recent storms has significantly increased the risk of deadly flooding.

Neighboring countries such as Namibia and Zambia have also experienced severe floods in recent years.

In 2023, Angola faced a similar disaster, with 30 deaths and over 116,000 people affected across most of the country.

A growing humanitarian concern

With infrastructure damaged and thousands displaced, the situation remains critical as emergency teams continue their operations.

Authorities warn that further rainfall could worsen conditions, raising concerns about additional flooding and humanitarian needs in the coming days.