Ethiopia Mourns Dozens Killed in Southern Landslides, East Africa Faces Heavy Rains
Gamo Zone, Ethiopia – Ethiopia has declared three days of national mourning beginning Saturday, as the death toll from landslides triggered by heavy rains in the southern Gamo Zone has climbed to 80, officials said Tuesday. The landslides have also displaced over 3,461 people, according to the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission.
The tragedy unfolded earlier this week, with search and recovery efforts hampered by continuing rainfall. At least 80 bodies have been recovered, but many individuals remain missing, regional government communications head Hailemariam Tesfaye stated. Authorities are intensifying the search for remaining victims.
Speaker of the House of Peoples’ Representatives Tagesse Chafo announced the period of mourning. The government is coordinating with regional authorities to mobilize resources and provide relief to those affected, the Government Communication Service confirmed Thursday. Private citizens and businesses are contributing to a regional fund established to support the disaster relief efforts.
The devastation in Ethiopia is part of a broader pattern of extreme weather impacting East Africa. Neighboring Kenya has also been hit hard, with flash floods resulting in at least 62 deaths as of Saturday.
Experts warn that more rain is expected across the region during the current March-April-May rainy season. The IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre recently indicated a 45% chance of above-average rainfall across much of East Africa, including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Northern Somalia, and Djibouti. This forecast underscores the urgent need for preparedness and caution among residents in vulnerable areas.