Severe storms claim 16 lives, affect 70 000 people across Ethiopia

Severe weather affecting Ethiopia since late April 2021, has left at least 16 people dead and 70 000 affected in the regions of Afar, SNNP, and Somali.

Around 27 400 people were displaced in Afar Region due to flooding and strong winds in Gulina, Ewa, Beyalo, Dulecha, Haruka, and Mile Woredas.

In Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region (SNNP), some 250 ha (617 acres) of land has been flooded while hailstorms damaged crops in the Wolayta Zone.

7 people died and around 11 200 families displaced after heavy rains hit Shabelle, Jarar, Dolo, Afder, Fafan, and Korahe Zones of the Somali Region.

9 people died after a 50 m (165 feet) high wall in Dire Dawa city collapsed on three houses during heavy rains on May 2.

In neighboring Somalia, heavy rains over the past 7 days triggered flash floods that affected around 25 000 people and killed at least 25. This included nine children who died due to flooding in Banadir on Friday, May 7, 2021, and six others in Mogadishu on Saturday, May 8.

Featured image credit: NOAA-20/VIIRS. Acquired on May 5, 2021