Death toll rises to 67 from Ethiopia floods

ADDIS ABABA, Oct 31 (Reuters) The death toll has risen to 67 from floods in southeastern Ethiopia after a river burst its banks last week, a relief official said today.

Another 2,000 people were displaced when the towns of Kibredehar and Musthale were inundated following heavy rains in the country's highlands.

''The two towns were swamped and houses destroyed after the Wabe Shabelle river burst its banks,'' said the official at the state-run Disaster Prevention Bureau, who asked not to be named.

''Sixty-seven people were killed and residents saw five of the bodies being eaten by crocodiles.'' A United Nations humanitarian agency said last month that devastating flash floods in August had forced more than 135,000 Ethiopians to abandon their homes.

Flooding typically occurs in Ethiopia's lowlands after heavy rains in the June-September season drench the highlands. This year's flooding was especially damaging because it followed a severe drought.

REUTERS PDM RK2345