A minimum of 80 individuals have lost their lives in tragic landslides in Ethiopia, prompting a three-day period of mourning as search and rescue teams work to recover the deceased.
Heavy rainfall-induced landslides have resulted in the deaths of numerous residents in the Gamo Zone region in the southern part of the country, with an additional 3,461 people being forced to flee their homes, according to the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission. Speaker Tagesse Chafo from the House of Peoples’ Representatives announced that the mourning period would commence on Saturday.
Authorities reported that many individuals are still unaccounted for following the disaster that occurred on Tuesday. The ongoing heavy rainfall in the area has hindered search and recovery operations.
The Ethiopian government, in collaboration with local authorities, has been mobilizing resources to address the situation. Contributions from private individuals and businesses are also being channeled into a relief fund established by the regional government to assist those impacted.
The governor of the South Ethiopia Regional state extended condolences to the affected families in the wake of the tragic event.
Tilahun Kebede, in a Facebook post, expressed deep sorrow on behalf of himself and the regional government for the loss of 30 lives in the Gamo Zone highlands due to landslides and floods caused by heavy rains.
Several East African countries, including Kenya, have been experiencing heavy rainfall, with Kenya reporting a death toll of 62 from flash floods on Saturday.
Given the ongoing rainy season, the region is forecasted to receive more rain, prompting governments to advise residents to exercise caution.
Last month, the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre indicated a 45% likelihood of above-average rainfall during the March-April-May rainy season across various countries in the region, such as Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Northern Somalia, and Djibouti.
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