BENGHAZI: At least 150 people were killed in flash floods and torrential rains in Libya brought on by the powerful storm Daniel that swept through the Mediterranean, an official said on Monday.
The floods wreaked havoc across several regions, including Derna, the Jabal al-Akhdar area, and the suburbs of Al-Marj, as confirmed by Mohamed Massoud, a spokesperson for the Benghazi-based administration in Libya. In addition to the loss of life, Massoud reported extensive damage to both public and private properties, further compounding the catastrophe.
To assess the full extent of the disaster, Prime Minister Oussama Hamad, along with the head of a rescue committee and other government ministers, traveled to Derna. The east-based government, in rivalry with a UN-brokered, internationally recognized transitional administration in Tripoli, declared Derna a “disaster area” on Monday, emphasizing the urgent need for aid and recovery efforts.
Severe Rainstorm and Floods in Libya
Storm Daniel, described by experts as “extreme” due to the volume of rainfall it unleashed within a 24-hour period, also wreaked havoc in parts of Greece, Turkey, and Bulgaria, claiming the lives of at least 27 people. In eastern Libya, the storm’s impact was notably severe, striking coastal towns such as Jabal al-Akhdar and Benghazi.
As a result of the disaster, a curfew was declared in Benghazi, and schools were closed for several days to ensure the safety of residents. Rescue teams were swiftly deployed to Derna, situated 900 kilometers (560 miles) east of the capital, Tripoli. The city, with a population of 100,000, lies within the wadi of a river bearing the same name, making it particularly susceptible to flash floods during heavy rainfall.
Amid rescue operations, Massoud reported that the east Libyan authorities had “lost contact with nine soldiers,” highlighting the perilous conditions and challenges faced by those on the front lines of the disaster response.
The devastating floods in eastern Libya serve as a stark reminder of the destructive force of extreme weather events and the urgent need for disaster preparedness and response efforts in vulnerable regions around the world.
