By Aderonke Ojo
At least 102 people have been confirmed dead following floods and landslides triggered by heavy rainfall in the Gamo Zone in southern Ethiopia, local authorities have said.
The death toll, initially reported at just over 30, rose steadily over the past 24 hours. Earlier on Thursday, a senior police officer had confirmed 64 fatalities, while dozens of people remain missing.
Officials said most of the victims were in highland communities where waterlogged slopes collapsed after days of intense rainfall.
Torrential rains have caused widespread flooding across parts of East Africa in recent days. Dozens of people have also died in neighbouring Kenya amid the severe weather.
Forecasters warn that storms in the region are becoming more intense, partly linked to the effects of climate change.
Before the latest casualty figures were confirmed, the governor of the South Ethiopia Regional State, Tilahun Kebede, had expressed condolences to families affected by the disaster.
“On behalf of myself and the regional government, I express my deep sorrow over the loss of lives due to landslides and floods in the highlands of Gamo Zone caused by heavy rains,” Kebede said in a statement posted on Facebook.
Authorities said the disaster followed sustained rainfall in surrounding districts.
The town of Arba Minch and nearby communities have experienced continuous downpours for two days, leading to extensive damage to homes, infrastructure and farmland.
Officials warned that additional flooding and landslides remain possible as the rains continue.
Mudslides have blocked key roads and several bridges have been submerged, prompting authorities to urge residents to remain vigilant while emergency response teams monitor the situation.
Over the past two decades, studies have documented increasing occurrences of extreme rainfall and prolonged drought across East Africa.
Scientists warn that human-driven climate change is making severe weather events—such as intense and prolonged downpours—more frequent and destructive.
In July 2024, more than 229 people, including rescue workers, were killed by a landslide in the neighbouring Geze Gofa Zone, one of the deadliest disasters recorded in the region
