At least 48 people have been confirmed dead following severe flooding triggered by heavy rains in the Gamo Zone of southern Ethiopia, authorities said on Wednesday.
According to the South Ethiopia Regional State Police Commission, the devastating flooding struck three districts within the Gamo area, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.
“The number of bodies recovered from the natural disaster that struck three districts of Gamo Zone has reached 48,” the police commission said in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Officials also reported that about 95 people are currently missing, while rescue and recovery operations remain underway. Authorities did not immediately clarify whether the number of missing persons includes those whose bodies have already been recovered.
The disaster is part of a broader pattern of extreme weather affecting East Africa in recent days.
In neighbouring Kenya, dozens of people were also reported dead after torrential rainfall triggered widespread flooding in the capital, Nairobi, and several other regions last Friday.
Researchers say such extreme weather events are becoming more frequent across East Africa. Multiple scientific studies have documented a sharp rise in both severe droughts and intense rainfall episodes across the region over the past two decades.
Climate scientists have repeatedly warned that human-driven climate change is increasing the likelihood, intensity, and duration of extreme weather conditions, including heavy downpours that often lead to devastating floods.
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