Struggles caused by flooding make Libya’s battle for normality a difficult task.
Flooding in Libya has now surpassed the bounds of heartbreak for many in the North African country, with the death toll exceeding anticipated numbers. Researchers studying the catastrophe have now pinpointed the potential culprit behind the events of the past week.
The disaster’s origins can be strongly linked to the impacts of climate change, with the equivalent of approximately one year’s worth of rainfall unleashed within a 24-hour period in the Derna region of Libya.
According to researchers interviewed by the journal Nature, the intense fallout caused by Storm Daniel, coupled with climate change, played a significant role in the damage unfolding in the country. The town of Al-Bayda received an unprecedented 414.1 millimetres of rainfall in a single day, surpassing the national average of approximately 270 millimetres, as reported by Germany’s Der Deutsche Wetterdienst.
Death Toll exceeds expectations
The death toll has now risen to over 11,000 deaths, according to the United Nations, and more than 30,000 people have been displaced. Among the challenges faced by rescuers, conflict and hostilities top the list of risks for humanitarian workers, alongside damaged infrastructure and a lack of governmental organization, stemming from civil unrest resulting from the downfall of Libya’s Colonel Gaddafi.
The WHO Representative in Libya said, “Our thoughts are with the families who have lost loved ones, as well as with all of the affected communities. We are committed to providing the necessary support to restore health services for the affected population in eastern Libya…”
Photo: UNHCR/Ahmed Al Houdiri
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