ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Catastrophic landslides triggered by relentless heavy rainfall have devastated three districts in southern Ethiopia’s Gamo Zone, resulting in a confirmed death toll of at least 50 individuals, with approximately 125 more reported missing, according to local authorities. The disaster, which struck the Gacho Baba, Kamba, and Bonke districts, has prompted a large-scale emergency response operation amid challenging conditions.
Mesfin Manuqa, the Director of Disaster Response for the Gamo Zone, confirmed the grim statistics on Thursday, noting that rescue teams managed to successfully extract one survivor from the thick mud. The scale of destruction to homes and infrastructure remains unquantified, as communication officials like Abebe Agena from Gacho Baba District reported that the majority of fatalities were discovered buried under the debris.
In response to the tragedy, South Ethiopia Regional State President Tilahun Kebede issued a somber statement expressing profound grief and urgently advised communities residing in highland regions and areas susceptible to flooding to evacuate to safer, higher ground. He emphasized the ongoing threat, stating, ‘With the rainy season persisting, these types of disasters could recur. I am calling on communities living in highlands and flood-prone areas to take necessary precautions.’
Such natural calamities are recurrent in Ethiopia, particularly during the annual rainy season, where saturated soil conditions frequently lead to deadly mudslides and flash flooding. This recent event echoes a similar tragedy from July 2024, when exceptionally heavy rains precipitated a massive mudslide in the same region, claiming 229 lives and highlighting the persistent vulnerability of these communities to extreme weather events.