ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Devastating mudslides triggered by days of torrential rainfall have claimed at least 50 lives across three districts in southern Ethiopia, with 125 additional people still unaccounted for, local authorities reported Thursday.
The deadly slides struck communities in the Gamo Zone, impacting Gacho Baba District, Kamba District, and Bonke District after a solid week of intense precipitation, according to Mesfin Manuqa, the zone’s disaster response director.
Rescue teams managed to extract one survivor from the debris during ongoing search operations, Manuqa confirmed.
Abebe Agena, who serves as communication chief for Gacho Baba District, reported that the majority of victims were discovered entombed in mud. Officials have not yet determined the total number of families impacted by the disaster.
South Ethiopia Regional State President Tilahun Kebede conveyed his condolences regarding the tragedy and issued urgent warnings for residents to relocate to elevated areas as precipitation persists.
“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,” he said.
Such catastrophic slides and flooding from intense storms occur frequently throughout Ethiopia, particularly when seasonal rains arrive.
This July, another devastating mudslide triggered by severe weather conditions resulted in 229 fatalities in Ethiopia’s southern region.
