Mbanza Kongo - At least 49 homes were flooded after heavy rains poured into the town of Soyo, Zaire Province, displacing a total of 245 people, local firefighters said Wednesday.

The rains, which fell from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., also flooded an onshore oil well, a church and left eight streets impassable in the Kukala Kiaku, Nkungu Yenguele, Kikudo, Pungo, Praia dos Pobres and Pangala neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city.

To minimize the situation, the report said, the fire department is draining water from homes and some of the city's streets to facilitate the movement of people and goods. JL/AMP