Thousands displaced by floods in Ethiopia - Reuters - August 26, 2008

Flooding in Ethiopia's western Gambella region has killed three people, displaced thousands and destroyed crops, an official said on Monday.

"Flash floods following heavy rains for nearly a week have caused major rivers in Gambella to burst their banks, submerging residential areas and farmlands and forcing 18,000 people to be displaced", said Akway Ojulu, head of emergency assistance in Gambella. "So far we have reports of the deaths of three people including one child," he told Reuters by telephone.

Ethiopia faces seasonal flooding between June and September. Flash floods typically happen in lowland areas of the country after heavy rains drench the highlands during the rainy season.

According to the United Nations, more then 100,000 people were affected by floods in Ethiopia last year and 17 died of waterborne diseases. Read More.