Almost 200 people have died after flood waters tore through a town in Ethiopia. A local relief agency said 39 of the 191 victims were young children. The flood has also left thousands homeless. Heavy rains in the country’s highlands caused the disaster in the eastern town of Dire Dawa, around 300 kilometres from the capital, Addis Ababa. Heavy rains are common in the area between June and September.

As well as the large casualty figure, there are further risks such as crocodiles and disease caused by dirty flood water. Livestock has been swept away and many farmers have suffered damage to land and crops.

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