2024 Wolayita landslide explained

Location:Wolayita Zone, Ethiopia
Type:Landslide in mountainous terrain
Cause:Heavy rainfall
Reported Deaths:13+
Displaced:300+ evacuated

On 5 August 2024, a massive landslide caused by heavy rainfall struck the Wolayita Zone of Ethiopia, killing at least 13 people and requiring the evacuation of over 300 people from the region due to fears of follow-up landslides.[1]

Background

See also: 2024 Gofa landslides. On 21–22 July 2024, heavy rainfall throughout Ethiopia caused two landslides that buried two villages in the in the locality of Kencho-Shacha in Geze Gofa, causing 257 deaths and several hundred more to be reported as missing.[2] Estimates by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs predicted that the final death toll could exceed 500.[2]

Landslide

In the Southern Ethiopian Wolayita Zone, heavy rainfall triggered a landslide, killing at least 13 people which included children. Wolayita chief administrator Samuel Fola reported that over 300 people in the Kindo Didaye district were evacuated out of fears of additional landslides occurring in the region due to its rural, mountainous terrain and lack of infrastructure.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2024-08-05 . At least 13 killed and 300 evacuated after deadly landslide in southern Ethiopia . 2024-08-05 . AP News . en.
  2. News: 25 July 2024 . Death toll from Ethiopia landslide hits 257, could reach 500 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240729222242/https://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/death-toll-from-ethiopia-landslide-hits-257-could-reach-500-un/news-story/7da28aedab9a820da409b94eda3746ae . 29 July 2024 . 25 July 2024 . . Agence France-Presse.