The landslide affected the villages of Masubu, Nameche, Mamono, Tangalu, Buzemulili, and Masoola, in the Bulambuli district, where rescuers are still searching for victims.

According to officials, the avalanche buried about 40 houses and swept away at its path vehicles, trees, power lines, and other houses. The death toll is feared to rise in the coming hours as rescue efforts continue.

The situation has also been aggravated by the effects of the “El Niño” phenomenon, which caused a change in atmospheric dynamics due to a rise in the Pacific Ocean temperature, which has brought torrential rains in the continent’s northern countries and severe drought in the southern regions.

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