ADDIS ABABA, March 23 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people died due to flash flooding in the southern part of Ethiopia, local government officials have said.

       The incident happened in Halaba Kulito town in southern Ethiopia on Tuesday night as victims were returning back from the market and caught up by the flash flood, state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate (FBC) quoted local government officials as saying Wednesday.

       Noting that a pregnant woman was among the seven people, the Halaba zone communication office stressed that efforts are underway to recover bodies of the victims, as the flooding made it difficult to recover the bodies.

       Flooding is common in Ethiopia, mainly during the rainy season. Last year, a similar incident in the capital Addis Ababa had claimed the lives of at least seven people.

       The rainy season is approaching in Ethiopia, which is expected to last until mid-September, with variations in different parts of the country.