The number of deaths caused by flooding in Kinshasa, the capital of Congo, has climbed to 33, as officials worked urgently on Monday to evacuate and assist hundreds of families stranded in their homes.

According to Congolese Interior Minister Jacquemin Shabani, ten additional fatalities were confirmed by Sunday evening, adding to the 23 deaths reported a day earlier. He shared the update during a broadcast on state television late Sunday.

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The flooding was triggered by heavy rainfall that began last week, leading the Ndjili River to overflow on Friday and inundate numerous structures.

Although the situation showed signs of improvement by Monday morning, some major roads were still impassable, and vehicular movement remained limited.

Many residents criticised the government’s response, saying it was too slow.

“We lost everything and had to leave it all behind,” said Marie Nzola, who saw her home destroyed. “The rain caught us off guard late at night.”

Authorities stated on Sunday that most of the deaths occurred due to walls collapsing shortly after the flooding began.

Kinshasa Governor Daniel Bumba announced over the weekend that the main road to the airport—which also connects the capital with other parts of the country—was damaged but would be reopened to all traffic within 72 hours.

Flooding also disrupted access to drinking water in at least 16 communes, after water infrastructure was impacted, the interior ministry said in a statement.

At least four emergency shelters have been set up by the government, currently housing hundreds of displaced families across the city, the ministry added.

Clément Matwidi, another resident affected by the floods, voiced his frustration and appealed for more government assistance. “Everything was lost in the floods, and now we’re just waiting for the authorities to act,” he said.

In 2022, similar flooding in Kinshasa claimed the lives of at least 100 people.

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The disaster coincides with an ongoing humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo, over 2,600 kilometers (1,600 miles) from Kinshasa, where conflict with rebels flared up again in February, deepening what is already one of the world’s most severe humanitarian emergencies.