Africa News

Landslides in Northern Ethiopia Leave 23 Dead, Thousands Displaced

Story Highlights
  • The landslide resulted in the death of 35 heads of cattle
  • Officials have warned of potential flooding and further landslides
  • Landslides in northern Ethiopia has claimed the lives of 23 people

A series of catastrophic landslides in northern Ethiopia has resulted in 23 fatalities and displaced around 2,700 residents, regional authorities reported on Monday.

The disaster comes amid severe rainfall that has caused flooding, landslides, and widespread devastation across several regions of the country.

The landslides impacted four districts in the North Gondar Zone of Amhara, with precise dates of the events yet to be confirmed. Earlier this month, local media reported a landslide in the area that had already resulted in 10 deaths.

Ethiopia, largely rural and prone to climate-related crises, experienced its worst landslide disaster in July in Kencho Shacha Gozdi, a remote southern community.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) initially reported 256 deaths from the July landslide but later revised the toll to 236.

A subsequent landslide in Sidama state claimed six more lives just a week later.

Besides these recent landslides, Ethiopia has also faced significant rainfall and flooding. The ongoing “long” rainy season began in June and is projected to continue until September.

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