Ethiopia Landslide: What Happened, Who’s Affected and How to Stay Safe

Earlier this month a massive landslide ripped through the highlands of northern Ethiopia, burying homes, blocking roads and leaving hundreds without shelter. The slide was triggered by weeks of heavy rain that soaked the soil and weakened the slopes. While the scene looks grim, the response is already rolling in, and knowing a few basics can help you protect yourself and your community.

Why the Landslide Occurred

Scientists say the landslide was a perfect storm of weather and terrain. Ethiopia’s highland regions have steep hills covered in loose soil. When the rainy season stretches longer than usual, water seeps into the earth, making it slick and unstable. In the affected area, the rain fell at over 150 mm in just three days – enough to push the ground past its breaking point.

Deforestation also plays a big role. Farmers have cut down trees for firewood and farmland, removing the roots that normally hold the soil together. Without that natural anchor, even a moderate downpour can cause a slope to give way.

Who’s Feeling the Impact

More than 2,000 people were displaced from villages near the slide zone. Emergency shelters have been set up in nearby towns, but many families are still waiting for food, clean water and medical aid. Local clinics report an increase in injuries ranging from broken bones to cuts from debris. The landslide also cut off a major road that connects several remote districts, making it harder for relief trucks to reach those in need.

Schools in the area have been closed for a week while authorities assess damage to buildings and check that the ground is stable enough for children to return safely. Kids are especially vulnerable because they often help carry water and firewood, putting them at risk of falling debris.

How Relief Efforts Are Shaping Up

The Ethiopian Red Cross, together with international NGOs, has dispatched emergency teams to the worst‑hit villages. Their first priorities are search‑and‑rescue, providing temporary shelters, and distributing food parcels. Clean‑water tanks are being installed to prevent disease outbreaks, which are common after landslides when sanitation systems break down.

Volunteer groups are also helping clear blocked roads. In the past 48 hours, crews have cleared about 4 km of the main highway, allowing trucks to deliver essential supplies. Engineers are conducting soil tests to see if the remaining slopes can be stabilized with retaining walls or tree‑planting projects.

What You Can Do to Stay Safe

If you live in a hilly area that’s prone to landslides, keep an eye on weather reports. Heavy rain that lasts more than a few days is a red flag. Look for signs like new cracks in the ground, trees leaning oddly, or water bubbling up on a slope – these can mean the earth is shifting.

Have a plan ready. Know the safest route out of your village and the location of the nearest shelter. Keep a small emergency kit with bottled water, a flashlight, a first‑aid pack and any meds you need. If you hear a loud rumble or feel the ground shake, move away from the slope immediately and find higher ground.

Community action matters too. Organise a group to clear debris from drainage channels, plant trees on vulnerable hillsides, and talk to local officials about building retaining walls where possible. Small steps add up and can prevent a bigger disaster later.

Looking Ahead

The Ethiopian government has promised to invest in better early‑warning systems and to enforce stricter land‑use rules in high‑risk zones. While rebuilding will take months, the focus now is on getting food, water and medical help to those who need it most. Keeping an eye on the news, supporting relief drives and staying prepared are the best ways anyone can help.

Landslides are a harsh reminder that climate patterns are changing fast. By understanding why they happen and what to do when they do, you can protect yourself and your community. Stay informed, stay alert, and help each other out – that’s how we get through tough times together.