Flooding in Libya

Another devastating natural disaster has struck North Africa, following closely on the heels of the deadly earthquake in Morocco. Libya is now grappling with severe flooding that has destroyed entire villages and claimed the lives of thousands of people. Footage from the region reveals collapsed buildings, submerged cars, and torrents of water rushing through the streets. The Libyan National Army and health officials estimate that over 2,000 people have been killed and 5,000 to 6,000 are missing. However, due to the inaccessibility of many areas and the lack of communication, these numbers cannot be verified. The city of Derna has been particularly hard hit, with two bridges collapsed, three destroyed, and phone lines still down. The storm system dumped approximately eight months' worth of rain in just one day. Greece also experienced catastrophic flooding last week, which was captured in staggering pictures. According to the head of Libya's emergency and ambulance services, there was no warning for people to evacuate or prepare for the impending disaster. He acknowledged the lack of preparedness and failure to study weather conditions, sea level rise, and the potential impact of the storm. Many are questioning the role of negligence in this situation, as residents woke up in the middle of the night to find their homes flooded, some with water levels reaching up to three meters. The situation has left people desperate to find a way to escape, while search and rescue teams face challenges due to isolated areas and communication difficulties. Additionally, two burst dams in the city of Donna have further exacerbated the disaster, causing more flooding and destruction. Roads and houses are being washed away, and authorities report that there are still bodies lying around, making it difficult to determine the exact death toll, which currently stands at over 2,000, with an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 people missing. The United Nations, Turkey, UAE, and Qatar are providing assistance on the ground. Storm Daniel has wreaked havoc not only in Libya but also in Greece and Turkey in recent days, and it is now moving towards northern Egypt, where an additional 50 millimeters of rainfall is expected in the next two days. The severity of the flooding in Derna can be understood by considering that the city normally receives this amount of rainfall in September alone. The military has barely reached ten millimeters. These numbers are unprecedented. Search and rescue is crucial for reaching people in need. Communication lines such as phone, internet, and power are all down, making it extremely challenging to provide assistance. The pictures we are witnessing are truly shocking, and the devastation is widespread. Eleni, what additional measures can be taken to coordinate aid in this country? Libya has been in political turmoil for quite some time now. Is there a centralized system that allows communication between the east and west to determine the next steps? It's important to remember that the Libyan National Army controls the east, while the internationally recognized government controls the west. These factions have been competing for power for a long time, resulting in a clear communication disconnect. However, we do know that the west has declared three days of mourning in response to this tragedy. Clearly, this event is taking place in a country experiencing significant political unrest. However, it is crucial for the people to unite and strategize their next steps. The fact that there is already international cooperation is a positive development. Nevertheless, more efforts are required, Paula, as the search and rescue operations are still ongoing. The catastrophe is expected to persist for at least the next two days. Subsequently, the focus will shift to the cleanup process. However, it is important to consider the aftermath of this catastrophic situation, which resembles an apocalyptic scenario. Villages, including Derna and Benghazi, are being severely affected, with some completely submerged underwater. This situation is comparable to a major storm or hurricane striking the United States.