At least 80 people have been killed in devastating landslides in southern Ethiopia, with a three-day mourning period declared as rescue workers continue to recover bodies. The landslides, triggered by heavy rain, struck the Gamo Zone area, leaving dozens dead and 3,461 displaced, according to the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission.
Speaker of the House of Peoples' Representatives Tagesse Chafo announced that the mourning period would begin on Saturday. Many people remain missing since the disaster struck on Tuesday, and search and recovery efforts have been hampered by persistent heavy rain.
Ethiopia's government is coordinating with regional authorities to gather resources, while donations from private citizens and businesses are flowing into a relief fund established by the regional government. The governor of the South Ethiopia Regional state, Tilahun Kebede, expressed his condolences on Facebook, saying, 'On behalf of myself and the regional government, I express my deep sorrow over the loss of 30 lives due to landslides and floods in the highlands of Gamo Zone caused by heavy rains.'
Heavy rains have also affected neighbouring Kenya, where the death toll from flash floods has risen to 62. The region is expected to experience further rainfall during the rainy season, and governments have urged residents to exercise caution. The IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre has forecast a 45% chance of above-average rainfall across several East African countries, including Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda.
