A catastrophic weather event has struck Ethiopia’s Gamo Zone, resulting in at least 30 fatalities from devastating floods and landslides. The disaster occurred after days of torrential rainfall saturated highland slopes, causing them to collapse without warning.
Regional authorities confirmed that the most severe impact was concentrated in elevated areas where unstable terrain succumbed to water pressure. The town of Arba Minch and surrounding districts have endured two consecutive days of relentless downpours, inflicting substantial damage to residential properties, critical infrastructure, and agricultural lands.
Southern Ethiopia Regional State President Tilahun Kebede expressed official condolences via social media, stating: “On behalf of the regional government, I convey profound grief over the tragic loss of our citizens in these climate-induced disasters.”
The crisis forms part of a broader weather emergency affecting East Africa, with neighboring Kenya reporting similar fatalities. Meteorological experts attribute the intensifying storm patterns to climate change, noting a documented increase in both extreme precipitation events and prolonged droughts across the region over the past twenty years.
Emergency response teams are currently monitoring the situation as mudslides have obstructed major transportation routes and submerged multiple bridges. Officials have issued renewed warnings about potential additional flooding, urging vulnerable communities to exercise extreme vigilance.
This tragedy echoes previous disasters in the region, including a July 2024 landslide in Geze Gofa Zone that claimed over 229 lives, highlighting the recurring vulnerability of East African nations to extreme weather events.