At least 102 people have lost their lives in southern Ethiopia after heavy rains triggered floods and landslides in the Gamo Zone, local authorities have confirmed. The official death toll, first reported at just over 30, has climbed steadily over the past day, with dozens more still unaccounted for.
Most of the victims were in highland areas, where saturated slopes collapsed following continuous downpours. The disaster comes as East Africa experiences a surge of extreme weather, with floods also affecting parts of neighbouring Kenya.
Meteorologists have linked the intensifying storms to climate change.
Before the death toll was revised, the governor of the South Ethiopia Regional state, Tilahun Kebede, expressed his condolences to families affected by the tragedy. "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," he said in a statement on Facebook late on Tuesday.
Authorities reported that the floods and landslides followed days of persistent rainfall in surrounding districts. The town of Arba Minch and nearby areas were hit by continuous downpours over two days, causing extensive damage to homes, roads, bridges, and farmland. Emergency teams are monitoring the situation, and officials have warned that further flooding and mudslides remain likely.
Mudslides have blocked major roads, and several bridges are under water, prompting authorities to urge the public to remain cautious. Over the past twenty years, researchers have observed a rise in both extreme wet spells and prolonged droughts across East Africa, with climate change making such severe weather events more frequent and intense.
The region has experienced similar disasters in recent years. In July 2024, a landslide in the neighbouring Geze Gofa Zone killed more than 229 people, including rescuers.
