Around 79,000 people have been displaced in southern Ethiopia after heavy rains caused the Omo River to overflow across 34 districts, according to local reports on Tuesday.

A local chief, Ato Tadele Hate, informed Sheger Radio that continuous rainfall has destroyed agricultural fields and livestock, urging the federal government and humanitarian groups to provide urgent help.

“This disaster keeps repeating,” Hate said, expressing his frustration. “Last year’s heavy rains caused similar problems, and now the floods have hit areas where people had already been relocated due to last year’s flooding.”

He emphasized the need for immediate actions to redirect the Omo River to prevent future overflows.

Hate also expressed concern for the city of Omorate, which is located along the Omo River and is at high risk of severe flooding.

“Without urgent action, we fear that Omorate, home to thousands, could be completely destroyed by the floods,” he warned.

Southern Ethiopia is particularly vulnerable to frequent and severe landslides and floods during the rainy season.

Tilahun Bishaw, the local head of the Ethiopian Red Cross Association, warned that the rains are expected to continue and the situation could worsen unless immediate steps are taken.