The Sange River is a tributary of the Ruzizi River in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It serves as a reliable source of water for domestic and commercial use, and families living along its banks rely on its pristine waters for drinking, cooking, and household chores. Local businesses depend on the river's abundant supply to meet the needs of visitors and tourists. Moreover, the river's flow sustains an ecosystem of services.[1][2][3]
| Sange River | |
|---|---|
 Sange River, April 2022 | |
 | |
| Location | |
| Country | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
Location
editThe river rises in the western part of the Ruzizi Plain in the Uvira Territory in the South Kivu Province and joins the Ruzizi River across the Plain. As it courses through the region, the river gathers water from smaller streams and tributaries, including Luvua River in Sange, Luvimvi River in Katogota, the Luvubu River in Lubarika, the Luvungi River in Luvungi, the Luberizi River in Luberizi, and the Runingu River in Runingu. The upper Sange valley has traditionally been occupied by Kifuliiru-speaking agriculturalists and herders who have thrived in the area, relying on the valley's resources for their sustenance and livelihoods.[3][4][5][6]
History
editWhen Henry Morton Stanley joined David Livingstone at Ujiji to explore the mouth of the Ruzizi River, Stanley discerned that the Sange River served as a tributary to the expansive Ruzizi River.[7] During the Belgian Congo period, a bridge was erected over the river to facilitate the crossing of obstacles such as rivers, valleys, or highways.[8] However, on 17 April 2020, the bridge collapsed due to torrential rainfall in Sange and its surrounding areas.[9][10][11]
2020 torrential rainfall
editIn April 2020 torrential rains and overflowing tributaries in Uvira inundated homes, including the Sange Bridge, which collapsed under the immense pressure of the river's surge. The bridge's pillars failed after being severely eroded.[12][11][10] The downpours also disrupted the economic and social lives of residents in Sange.[12][11] Official reports indicated 24 bodies were recovered, 3,500 houses were damaged, and other significant losses were noted.[11] According to UM News, the United Methodist Church's official news outlet, nearly 70,000 people were left homeless.[12]
References
edit- ^ Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) Zoology: Volume 30. London, England: The Natural History Museum. 1977. p. 197.
- ^ "26 mars, Sange dans la province du Sud-Kivu, l'affaissement du pont perturbe la vie socio-économique de la population" [26 March, Sange in the province of South Kivu, the collapse of the bridge disrupts the socio-economic life of the population]. Ndenga News (in French). 26 March 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
- ^ a b Kabiraba, Christine Amina (2012). "Du mode de traitement des ordures ménagères dans la cité d'Uvira, cas des fractions biodégradables et non biodégradables" [On the method of treating household waste in the city of Uvira, case of biodegradable and non-biodegradable fractions] (in French). Institut Supérieur de Développement Durable. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
- ^ Occasional Papers of the Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, Volumes 738–740. Michigan, United States: University of Michigan, Museum of Zoology. 2006. p. 11.
- ^ Hautmann, Frédéric (1939). "Étude ethnographique de l'Itombwe (district du Kivu, Congo Belge)". Geographica Helvetica (in French). 4 (3): 175–176. doi:10.5194/gh-4-175-1949. S2CID 180994095.
- ^ Pottier, Johan (September 26, 2002). Re-Imagining Rwanda: Conflict, Survival and Disinformation in the Late Twentieth Century. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. p. 16. ISBN 9780521528733.
- ^ Tyler, Josiah (1873). Livingstone Lost and Found: Or Africa and Its Explorers : a Complete Account of the Country and Its Inhabitants, Their Customs, Mannners, &C., of the Prominent Missionary Stations, of the Diamond and Gold Fields, and of Explorations Made ; With a Comprehensive Biographical Sketch of Dr. David Livingstone, His Travels Adventures, Experiences and Disappearance ; and a Most Interesting Account of His Discovery by the American Expedition, in Command of Henry M. Stanley. Hawaii, United States: Mutual publishing Company. pp. 510–511.
- ^ Actes et comptes rendus: Soil biology. Soil fertility and plant nutrition. Soil technology (in English and French). Secretariat General. 1954. p. 484.
- ^ "Uvira: au moins 23 morts à la suite d'une pluie diluvienne" [Uvira: At least 23 dead following torrential rain]. Radio Okapi (in French). 17 April 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
- ^ a b Diasso, Alain (18 April 2020). "Bukavu: d'importants dégâts humains et matériels consécutifs à une inondation" [Bukavu: significant human and material damage following flooding]. Adiac-congo.com (in French). Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
- ^ a b c d Mwamba, Justin (18 April 2020). "Catastrophes à Uvira: la plupart de cadavres ont été enterrés par leurs proches et membres des familles" [Disasters in Uvira: Most of the corpses were buried by their relatives and family members]. Actualite.cd (in French). Bukavu, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
- ^ a b c Lolonga, Philippe Kituka; Londe, Chadrack Tambwe (2 June 2020). "Church aids flood survivors in Congo". Umnews.org/en. United Methodist Church. Retrieved 22 June 2023.