At least 50 people have been killed in flooding and landslide caused by heavy rains in Ethiopia, local officials say.

Some 41 people died in Wolayita Zone in southern Ethiopia on Monday because of the landslide, local media quoted Alemayehu Mamo, a regional police official, as saying.

Reports said that nine others were also killed in the Bale region in southeastern Ethiopia following the flooding. Over 1,000 cattle also reportedly drowned in the area.

Tens of thousands of people have been affected by heavy the rains in several parts of the country. A number of roads have been washed away and bridges destroyed.

The African country is struggling with its worst drought in decades, but unseasonable heavy rains have caused damage in several areas across the country.

The drought in Ethiopia and other African states has been worsened by the most severe and longest El Nino weather condition in 35 years, as it caused the lowest recorded rainfall between October and December last year since 1981.

Some 41 people died in Wolayita Zone in southern Ethiopia on Monday because of the landslide, local media quoted Alemayehu Mamo, a regional police official, as saying.

Reports said that nine others were also killed in the Bale region in southeastern Ethiopia following the flooding. Over 1,000 cattle also reportedly drowned in the area.

Tens of thousands of people have been affected by heavy the rains in several parts of the country. A number of roads have been washed away and bridges destroyed.

The African country is struggling with its worst drought in decades, but unseasonable heavy rains have caused damage in several areas across the country.

The drought in Ethiopia and other African states has been worsened by the most severe and longest El Nino weather condition in 35 years, as it caused the lowest recorded rainfall between October and December last year since 1981.