Ethiopia Floods Displace Thousands, Damage Homes, Crops

Heavy rainfall in Ethiopia has led to widespread flooding, displacing tens of thousands of people and causing significant damage to homes, crops, and infrastructure.

In the Jikawo district of Gambella region, the Baro River overflowed following days of heavy rain, forcing over 20,000 residents to flee their homes. Many have sought refuge in schools, religious institutions, and government offices in Kwatangnyang town. Local authorities are working to provide aid to the displaced population.

The flooding has also affected other parts of the country. In the South Omo Zone, the Omo River has overflowed, displacing 79,000 people in the Dassenech district. In the Amhara region, up to 400,000 residents are at risk of natural disasters, including flooding, due to heavy rains.

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The Silte Zone has been particularly hard hit, with flooding submerging over 900 houses and displacing more than 6,000 people. Agricultural lands have also been severely affected, with over 1,200 hectares of crops, including maize, wheat, mango, papaya, and coffee, destroyed.

The Ethiopian Meteorology Institute had issued a weather advisory in August warning of potential hazards, including river and flash floods, due to anticipated heavy rainfall across several river basins.