Flooding displaces thousands in western Ethiopia

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia

Around 16,000 people have been internally displaced and relocated to safer areas due to flooding in western Ethiopia, local media reported on Monday.

Four districts were affected as heavy rain caused sudden flooding in the Gambella region, according to the state-owned Fana Broadcasting Corporation (FBC).

The flooding caused damage to houses and agricultural fields, leaving the community in dire need of assistance, according to the regional communication bureau.

The affected people have been relocated to safer and drier zones for the time being. Authorities are working with relevant stakeholders to mitigate the situation, Gatbel Moon, the local disaster risk management official, told FBC.

This flooding is part of a recurrent pattern in the region, as August marks the rainy season in Ethiopia, often leading to severe flooding in Gambella and other parts of the country.