Angola: Torrential rains leave 14 dead, 8,000 homeless in Luanda province

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Angola: Torrential rains leave 14 dead, 8,000 homeless in Luanda province

10:32 CAT | 20 Apr 2021

VOA / Citizen journalist

Torrential rains have caused chaos in Luanda, with 14 known deaths so far and over 8,000 people left homeless, according to figures released on Monday night by a spokesman for the province’s civil defence and fire services.

Faustino Miguens, who was speaking to local broadcaster TV Zimbo after an urgent meeting of the provincial civil defence commission, which is coordinated by Luanda’s governor, Joana Lina, said that 14 people had died as a result of the downpours and over 1,600 homes had been flooded.

Five of the deaths were in the municipality of Luanda, whilst in Cazenga three people died, in Cacuaco another two and the same number in Viana and Kilamba Kiaxi. Causes of death included electrocution and being crushed by collapsed walls, with one year-old child and his mother swept away by the waters.

Two other people were injured as 1,617 homes were flooded, affecting 8,165 people in all.

The spokesman said that 16 homes had collapsed, 15 trees were toppled, a lamp-post fell on a vehicle and a fire started in an electrical switching cabinet. One bridge was also destroyed as there was a “substantial increase” in the volume of water in the rainwater holding basins, overflowing onto the public highway and adjacent homes.

In addition to the victims and the material damage, which is yet to be calculated, the rains hampered traffic and prevented public transport from circulating in some areas.

Miguens said that those affected would receive support from the municipal administrations, and that it is a priority to help them.

The meteorological services forecast continued heavy rain and thunderstorms until Wednesday.

Source: Lusa