Alert out for Ethiopia's capital after flash flood deaths

By Seleshi Tessema

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AA) – Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa may face more flooding due to heavy torrential rains, a government agency warned on Thursday.

At least 217 localities in the capital have been identified as high-risk areas that are vulnerable to floods, according to an official of the Fire and Emergency Prevention and Rescue Agency.

The advisory came a day after a flash flood swept through a neighborhood in the capital’s southeast, killing at least eight people.

“Rescuers worked through the night and saved 12 people stranded in the area,” Gulelat Getanet, the agency’s communications head, told Anadolu Agency, adding that the operation finished on Thursday afternoon.

“We tried our best to protect properties in the area, but the flooding has caused heavy damage.”

Ethiopia has witnessed unusually heavy downpour since the start of the annual rainy season, which runs from June to early September.

“We are anticipating more flash flooding and have been making preparations to mitigate the threat,” Getanet said.