Floods in Angola Kill 15, Displace Thousands as Heavy Rains Batter Cities

Severe flooding triggered by torrential rains has left at least 15 people dead and displaced thousands across Angola, with widespread damage reported in major cities.

According to emergency services, hours of intense rainfall caused flash floods that inundated streets and damaged more than 4,000 homes in the capital Luanda and the coastal city of Benguela.

Benguela was the hardest hit, accounting for 12 of the fatalities, while three deaths were recorded in Luanda, officials said in a preliminary assessment.

Residents described scenes of devastation, with homes submerged and families forced to flee. Many have sought shelter with relatives after losing most of their belongings.

Authorities noted that while heavy rains are common during the rainy season, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense, a trend widely linked to climate change.

Meanwhile, in neighbouring Namibia, rising water levels along the Zambezi River have forced thousands to evacuate. Officials reported the river swelling to around 6.8 metres, significantly above normal levels, raising concerns of further flooding in the region.

Emergency teams continue to assess the damage and provide assistance to affected communities.