The authorities in Ethiopia say heavy rains causing floods and mudslides have so far killed 51 people this rainy season, the country’s independent news site Addis Standard is reporting.

Eight people died on Thursday in Amhara state in northern Ethiopia in a mudslide, including six people from one family. Houses and crops were swept away as well, the Addis Standard says.

Beletu Bulbula Sorsu, the editor of the BBC Afaan Oromoo service, says the rains this year started very early in May, particularly in central part of the country. Usually the season begins in June.

Rain is expected to continue to fall until mid-September, she says