Ethiopia Mourns Dozens Killed in Landslides as East Africa Battles Heavy Rains
Gamo Zone, Ethiopia – Ethiopia has declared three days of national mourning beginning Saturday, following landslides in the southern Gamo Zone that have claimed at least 80 lives, officials said. The tragedy underscores the increasing vulnerability of communities across East Africa to extreme weather events.
The landslides, triggered by torrential rainfall on Tuesday, have also displaced over 3,461 people, according to the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission. Authorities fear the death toll will rise as search and rescue efforts continue for those still missing.
“The mourning period will begin on Saturday,” stated Tagesse Chafo, Speaker of the House of Peoples’ Representatives.
The devastation in Ethiopia is part of a broader pattern of extreme rainfall impacting the region. In Kenya, at least 62 people have been killed in flash floods since late February, coinciding with the start of the long rainy season.
Experts warn that the current weather patterns are consistent with forecasts predicting above-average rainfall across much of East Africa, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, South Sudan, Northern Somalia, and Djibouti. The IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre indicated a 45% chance of these conditions for the March-April-May rainy season.
Previous rainy seasons have brought widespread flooding, landslides, and mudslides, resulting in significant loss of life and displacement. Governments are urging residents to exercise caution as more rain is expected in the coming weeks.
The ongoing crisis highlights the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness and infrastructure in vulnerable regions, as well as a greater focus on addressing the impacts of climate change.
