Homes at risk of being 'swallowed' in Kinshasa - BBC Africa

Gully erosion is an extreme form of soil erosion caused by water, which experts have told the BBC is advancing at a worrying speed. It can cause giant ravines to open up – with sometimes devastating consequences. Cities from Latin America to Africa have been torn apart and their communities destroyed. In 2022, 60 people in Kinshasa were killed during heavy rain as their homes fell into the gully.

Scientists say although erosion is a natural process which occurs over time, we’re seeing more of these giant canyons – and this acceleration is down to human-made activities: deforestation, poor infrastructures in cities and extreme weather patterns due to climate change.

#kinshasa #drc #gullyerosion

[jeremybaker]

If you cut out all the trees and vegetation then these are the consequences

[cherylmC]

This weather is something new, but perhaps some of the plastic collected for recycling can be used to stabilize the slopes and set up drainage ways to control runoff. The sides of the drainages can be planted with something with deep roots.

[locgama]

That's not far from house!

I can see those erosion from house.

I also live in risk zone but the engineer reinforce the ground structure of our street.

[loumata]

The earth has enough of the industrial destruction of a her vegetation. She said enough.

[kelvinndukuyu]

This serves as a reminder that in the eyes of Mother Nature, our significance as human beings is minimal; she remains indifferent to our existence.

[Thekowaikaiju]

You fight nature you will lose every time.

[treefarm]

I have a small gully which begins right beside my house, but it is heavily vegetated and I have a compost heap at the head of it. It doesn't change, in spite of heavy rainfall. Congo can perhaps tax mining companies to solve these immediate problems, as well as the longer term solutions of tree planting.

[Thekowaikaiju]

And please, people. It is just called Congo.

[andiaforbes]

Oh my GOD HAVE MERCY.To lose everything you have is soo difficult.

[SmilingCoastline-vbez]

What mainstream media should be covering

[TuneinR]

The soil of kinshasa is extremely sandy. This is dangerous.

[cartestgroupoy]

So if you use surface water endlessly you end up in situation where you have to think about sea water or it's gonna dry and crack and slide

[MaLiArtworks]

Which country in Africa is this located?

[corteztt]

Only in the DRC where someone would live in a dodgy neighbourhood but wears an expensive suit

[EnyawYorlig]

What they do to cause that? Cut down all the trees?

[noellaboseleka]

Congo needs 2 things:
1. A new president
2. Infrastructural reform

[kinkmas]

Irresponsible government…the result will always be worst. Sad for us.

[lindiwekubu]

This is just so heartbreaking, if possible they must move this is clearly deadly area 😔😔.

[thirstyhungryforgod]

You mean the Congo goverment can't fix this for their people. This's not too big for the goverment to handle.

[manishalochan]

People must take action to prevent climate change...climate change is major issues but there is a lack of awareness of it ...