Floods in Libya After 8 months of rain wait

The narrative opens with another tragic natural catastrophe striking North Africa, occurring mere days after the devastating earthquake that rocked Morocco. Libya now faces a significant crisis in the form of severe flooding, resulting in the destruction of major villages and reportedly claiming the lives of thousands. Video footage from the region vividly illustrates the aftermath: buildings reduced to rubble, cars submerged, and torrents of water inundating the streets. Libyan authorities, including the National Army and health officials, report a death toll of over 2,000 people, with an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 individuals missing. However, the accuracy of these figures remains challenging to verify due to numerous areas still being inaccessible and without communication infrastructure. Among the worst-affected areas is the city of Derna, which suffered the most. Two bridges collapsed, three others were destroyed, and phone lines remain non-functional. The storm system unleashed approximately eight months' worth of rainfall in a single day, compounding the already catastrophic situation. Just last week, Greece experienced similarly devastating flooding, with images depicting the sheer scale of destruction.

Our correspondent, CNN's Eleni Giokos, reports from Dubai, where she has been closely monitoring the unfolding developments. Shockingly, the head of Libya's emergency and ambulance services admitted to CNN that there was no prior warning for the population, no alerts advising them to evacuate or seek higher ground, and little understanding of the impending storm's severity. This lack of preparedness and neglect for studying weather conditions, sea-level rise, and the storm's potential consequences have come under scrutiny.

People in affected areas were jolted awake in the middle of the night as the storm struck, finding their homes submerged, with water levels reportedly reaching up to three meters. Desperation grips the survivors as they scramble to find a means of escape. The scenes are heart-wrenching, with cars and individuals swept away by the raging waters. Many regions are now cut off, making it exceedingly difficult for search and rescue teams to identify who needs assistance and devise a plan of action. The situation is exacerbated by the bursting of two dams in the city of Derna, unleashing further torrents of water and intensifying the catastrophe. Roads and homes appear to be dissolving in the deluge, and authorities report that bodies are still scattered around, making it nearly impossible to determine an accurate death toll. The UN, along with Turkey, the UAE, and Qatar, has mobilized assistance efforts. The storm named Daniel has not only wreaked havoc in Libya but also struck Greece and Turkey just days ago and is now heading toward northern Egypt, where an additional 50 millimeters of rainfall are expected over the next two days. To put this into context, the city of Derna typically receives less than ten millimeters of rainfall in September, underscoring the unprecedented nature of this disaster. Search and rescue operations are paramount, but with phone lines, internet, and power down, the challenges are immense.

The pictures and videos emerging from the affected areas are nothing short of shocking. The devastation appears to be widespread and all-encompassing. Given Libya's protracted political turmoil, questions arise about the ability to coordinate aid effectively. Libya has been divided, with the eastern part controlled by the Libyan National Army and the west governed by an internationally recognized government. These factions have been in a power struggle for a considerable period, contributing to a significant communication breakdown. The western part of Libya has declared three days of mourning, a gesture made amid a backdrop of political instability. It is evident that the nation must unify despite its divisions to confront this crisis effectively. International cooperation has already begun, a positive step, but much more is required. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, and the catastrophe is projected to persist for at least the next two days. The ensuing cleanup efforts will be a monumental task, as it follows an apocalyptic scenario that has unfolded, impacting not only Derna but also Benghazi and numerous other villages, many of which have been submerged entirely by the floodwaters.

In terms of a comparison to the United States, this disaster would be akin to a large hurricane striking, causing widespread destruction and requiring a concerted national response. The sheer scale of the devastation is difficult to fathom, and the path to recovery will be long and arduous.

As the world watches these tragic events unfold, it is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of regions to the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters, emphasizing the importance of preparedness, international cooperation, and swift response in times of crisis. The immediate priority remains the safety and well-being of those affected, and the global community must stand together to provide support and aid to the people of Libya as they face this harrowing catastrophe.