Flooding kills 30 in southern Ethiopia

At least 30 people have died after heavy rainfall triggered severe flooding in southern Ethiopia, local authorities have confirmed.

Officials say the deaths occurred in the Degama areas of the Gamo zone after intense downpours caused rivers to overflow and flood surrounding communities.

The communications department for the Gamo zone said in a Facebook statement late Tuesday that emergency teams and local officials were working to assess the damage and assist affected residents.

Floodwaters swept through homes and farmland, leaving many families displaced as rescue efforts continued in the affected communities.

The disaster comes amid a wave of deadly flooding across East Africa in recent days. Dozens of people were killed in neighbouring Kenya after torrential rain struck Nairobi and other parts of the country last Friday.

Scientists say human driven climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events across the region.

Several studies have documented a growing pattern of severe wet and dry periods in East Africa over the past two decades, raising concerns about the region’s vulnerability to climate related disasters.

SOURCE: Reuter