The death toll from flooding that cut access to over half of the Congolese capital of Kinshasa reached 33 as authorities raced Monday to evacuate and support hundreds of families trapped in their homes.

Torrential rains and floods have killed at least 33 people in Kinshasa - the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo - according to officials. "The republic will not abandon you," President Félix Tshisekedi promised victims on Monday, saying he had called a government crisis meeting.

In DR Congo, President Felix Tshisekedi has visited those left homeless by floods in the capital over the weekend. Heavy rains have killed more than 30 people and caused widespread destruction.