The death toll from landslides and flooding caused by heavy rains in the Gamo Zone of southern Ethiopia has risen to at least 64, with 128 more people reported missing, according to police. The South Ethiopia Regional State Police Commission stated in a Facebook post on Thursday, "The number of people missing due to the recent flood in Gamo zone has reached 128, and according to the latest information, 64 bodies have been found."

Gacho Baba district communication chief Abebe Agena said most of the deceased were found buried in mud. It remains unclear how many households have been affected. Gamo Zone director of disaster response Mesfin Manuqa noted that one person was rescued alive from the mud during ongoing operations.

Tilahun Kebede, president of the South Ethiopia Regional State, expressed sorrow over the disaster and urged residents to relocate to higher ground as rains persist. He stated, "Given that it is the rainy season and these types of disasters could happen again, I am calling on communities living in the highlands and flood-prone areas to take the necessary precautions."

Flooding triggered by intense rainfall has led to the fatalities, with much of East Africa experiencing severe flooding in recent days. In neighboring Kenya, dozens were killed on Friday after torrential rain hit the capital, Nairobi, and other areas.

Mudslides and floods due to heavy precipitation are common in Ethiopia, particularly during the rainy season. In July 2024, a deadly mudslide caused by heavy rain killed over 250 people in southern Ethiopia. Multiple studies have tracked the increasing frequency of extreme wet and dry periods in East Africa over the past two decades. Scientists have long warned that human-driven climate change is heightening the likelihood, duration, and severity of severe weather events such as torrential downpours.

Source: www.aljazeera.com