Floods Kill 30 in Southern Ethiopia After Heavy Rains

At least 30 people have died after floods caused by heavy rains in southern Ethiopia. The disaster comes as severe rainfall also hits parts of Kenya, including Nairobi, with scientists linking the rising frequency of such extreme weather to climate change.

Heavy rainfall has caused deadly flooding in the Gamo area of southern Ethiopia, leaving at least 30 people dead, according to local authorities. The tragedy occurred after intense and persistent rainfall triggered floods that swept through several communities, causing destruction to homes and infrastructure while claiming lives in the affected areas.
In a statement released late Tuesday on Facebook, the communications department of the Gamo zone said the local administration was mourning the victims of the disaster. Officials explained that the heavy rainfall particularly affected the Degama area, where the majority of the fatalities were recorded. The statement expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and extended condolences to the families and communities impacted by the floods.
Local authorities said the flooding followed continuous rainfall that caused rivers and streams in the region to overflow their banks. As water levels rose rapidly, many residents were caught off guard, and floodwaters swept through villages and low-lying settlements. Emergency responders and local officials have been working to assess the damage and provide assistance to affected communities.
Although the exact number of injured or displaced people has not yet been confirmed, the flooding is believed to have destroyed several homes and damaged farmland and local roads. The destruction has disrupted transportation and made it more difficult for rescue teams and aid workers to reach some of the worst-affected areas.
The disaster in Ethiopia is part of a broader pattern of severe weather currently affecting parts of East Africa. In neighbouring Kenya, dozens of people were also killed after torrential rainfall hit Nairobi and other regions last Friday. The heavy rains caused widespread flooding in urban and rural areas, damaging property and forcing many residents to flee their homes.
Meteorologists and climate experts say that extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall and flooding have become more frequent in East Africa over the past two decades. Several studies tracking climate patterns in the region have found an increase in both severe wet periods and prolonged dry spells, creating unpredictable and often dangerous weather conditions.
Scientists have repeatedly warned that human-driven climate change is playing a major role in intensifying these extreme weather events. Rising global temperatures can lead to more moisture in the atmosphere, which increases the likelihood of heavy storms and intense downpours that can trigger floods and landslides.
Communities across East Africa are particularly vulnerable to such disasters because many settlements are located near rivers or in low-lying areas that are prone to flooding during heavy rains. Limited drainage systems, fragile infrastructure, and rapid population growth in some regions can further increase the impact of these events.
Authorities and humanitarian organizations continue to monitor the situation closely while assessing the scale of the damage and the needs of affected residents. As rescue and recovery efforts continue, the flooding in southern Ethiopia serves as another reminder of the growing risks posed by extreme weather events across the region.