Flash flooding hits eastern Ethiopia by Laura Gilchrist
Severe flooding struck the eastern town of Dire Dawa at the weekend after the Dechatu River, swollen by heavy rain from the Ethiopian highlands, burst its banks.
At least 200 people are reported to have lost their lives, and around 300 more are still missing, after floodwater swept through Dire Dawa on Saturday night. Rescuers were searching for survivors as far as 22 miles (35 kilometres) downstream of the town, which sits around 300 miles (500 km) east of the capital Addis Ababa.
The town lies between the Great Rift Valley and the Ahmar Mountains, the latter which are drained of rainwater by the Dechatu River during the June-August rainy season. Continuous heavy rains in the Ethiopian highlands increases the risk of flash flooding in the lowland flood-plain areas, and its location close to the Dechatu River means Dire Dawa is particularly prone. In recent years flooding events here have been common, though not as devastating as the most recent flood.
Rescue efforts were continuing on Wednesday, though hopes of finding further survivors were fading. Meanwhile sandbags were being filled and used to reinforce the river banks, after warnings of additional flooding were issued following reports of further heavy rains in the highlands.
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