At least 50 individuals have lost their lives and 125 are currently unaccounted for following landslides that struck three districts in southern Ethiopia after a period of intense rainfall, as stated by a local official on Thursday. The incidents occurred in Gamo Zone, impacting the Gacho Baba District, Kamba District, and Bonke District, as per Mesfin Manuqa, the director of disaster response for Gamo Zone. One individual was rescued alive from the mud during the search and rescue operation.
Abebe Agena, the communication chief for Gacho Baba District, mentioned that the majority of the deceased were discovered buried in the mud, with the total number of affected households still undetermined. Tilahun Kebede, the president of the South Ethiopia Regional State, expressed grief over the calamity and advised residents to relocate to higher ground due to ongoing rainfall.
Acknowledging the rainy season and the likelihood of recurring disasters, Kebede urged communities residing in elevated areas and flood-prone regions to implement necessary safety measures. Ethiopia encounters frequent mudslides and floods triggered by heavy rains, particularly during the rainy season. In a previous tragic event in July 2024, 229 lives were claimed by a devastating mudslide caused by heavy rainfall in southern Ethiopia.