In southern Ethiopia, more than 200 people have lost their lives in two devastating landslides, authorities reported.The first landslide, induced by heavy rains, struck a remote area in the Gofa Zone on Monday. Tragically, a second landslide followed, burying people who had gathered to assist, state officials said on Tuesday. According to a statement from the local Communications Affairs Department, at least 148 men and 81 women were killed in the Kencho-Shacha locality.Alemayehu Bawdi, a representative of the Southern Regional State, confirmed the grim death toll and stated, Search and rescue efforts are ongoing.Rescue efforts and casualtiesFive individuals were rescued from the mud and are receiving medical treatment, reported the government-owned Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC). Local administrator Dagemawi Ayele noted that many of those killed had been attempting to rescue the inhabitants of a house affected by the initial landslide.Those who rushed for life-saving work have perished in the disaster, including the localitys administrator, teachers, health professionals, and agricultural professionals, EBC quoted Dagemawi as saying.Regions ongoing strugglesGofa is part of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region (SNNPR), situated approximately 320 kilometers southwest of the capital, Addis Ababa. This region has been severely impacted by seasonal rains between April and May, which have led to flooding and mass displacement, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). In May, OCHA reported that floods had affected over 19,000 people in several zones, displacing more than a thousand and causing significant damage to livelihoods and infrastructure.The southern region has a history of landslides, with a notable incident in 2018 where at least 32 people were killed in two separate landslides within a week.Climate challenges across EthiopiaWhile southern Ethiopia grapples with flooding and landslides, other parts of the country are experiencing severe drought. This has forced traditional herding communities to seek alternative food production methods. The United Nations has highlighted that millions in Ethiopia are facing malnutrition due to these climate-related challenges.
