The death toll has reached 210 in eastern Ethiopia where flash floods hit the town of Dire Dawa on Saturday.

Rescue workers continue to search in the piles of mud and sand around the town for as many as 300 others still missing, but concede that the chances of finding anyone still alive are slim.

Other workers were busy Tuesday filling sand bags in case of another flood. Officials say more rainfall in Ethiopia's highlands means fresh flooding could occur in lowland areas.

The rain-swollen Dechatu river burst its banks near the town late Saturday, drowning many people in their homes as they slept. Police say at least 39 of the dead were children.

Annual rains often cause flooding in Ethiopia's southern and eastern lowland areas.