KINSHASA, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- The water level of the Congo River reached 5.9 meters, close to the historic high, the Waterways Authority of the Democratic Republic of the Congo said in a statement released on Friday, warning possible floods that could cause human loss and water-borne diseases.

       A significant increase has been reported in the Congo River, which is close to the historic flood of 1961, reaching 6.26 meters. The gauging was done at the watercourse between Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC, and Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of the Congo, which are separated by the Congo River.

       According to the statement, the situation is of great concern, as possible floods might endanger economic activities and local populations, also leading to human losses, property damage and water-borne diseases.

       According to local media, in several parts of Kinshasa, households have been flooded after the overflow of the waters of the Congo River caused by heavy rains.

       Floods and landslides are common in the DRC during the rainy season, which runs from September to May, and often have devastating impacts.

       Heavy rains also hit overnight regions in eastern South Kivu Province, causing floods and landslides that led to huge human loss, according to local authorities.