"Torrential rains since August 19 have caused the Awash river to overflow its banks, sweeping away hundreds of animals and destroying large numbers of properties in Gewanie area of northeast Ethiopia," local leader Hussein Ibrahim said.

"Many more people are threatened, as heavy rains continue to pound the region, unless urgent measures are taken to prevent further damage from the rising flood water," Ibrahim said.

Water Resource Administration Manager Yohanes Zerihun said professionals with machineries have been despatched to the affected region to try to construct additional barricades so as to redirect the flow of the river.

The region's Disaster Prevention and Preparedness and Food Security Bureau have also dispatched humanitarian assistance to the area.

TERRA.WIRE