More than 15,000 affected people need to be evacuated, and the government is finalizing an evacuation plan, UNOCHA said in a situation report.
The landslide in Geze Gofa District occurred Monday morning in the midst of a rainy season, which is expected to last until mid-September.
Some of the victims died in subsequent secondary landslides. Many remain unaccounted for. Seasonal rains occasionally cause deadly landslides in some parts of the East African country.
Senayit Solomon, South Ethiopia Region Government Communication Office head, stated that the heavy rain that the area received on Sunday and Monday has caused the landslide.
Chairperson of the Kebele, police and dozens of residents were on site when the second wave of the landslide suddenly hit.
Rescue and search operation is still underway by the local community.
MG/abj/APA