Deadly Storm Leaves Trail of Destruction in Libya, Raising Concerns of Rising Death Toll
In what has been described as a devastating natural disaster, Storm Daniel has wreaked havoc in Libya, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Local media reports suggest that the death toll from the storm is expected to exceed 10,000, a deeply concerning situation that has raised alarm bells across the country.
Coming after its destructive rampage in Greece, where it claimed the lives of 15 individuals, Storm Daniel made landfall in Libya on Sunday, unleashing its fury on several cities. According to reports, this rainfall was the most intense the country has experienced since records began in 1930. The impact of the storm was particularly severe in Benghazi, Susa, Bayda, and al Marj. However, it was the city of Derna that bore the brunt of the disaster.
Derna suffered immense devastation as the storm caused two dams above the city to burst consecutively. The resulting deluge engulfed the city, with water levels reaching as high as 3 meters (10 feet). Buildings were swallowed up, roads were destroyed, and vital infrastructure was left in ruins. Trapped within its mountainous surroundings, Derna became cut off from the rest of the country, hampering relief efforts and making it increasingly challenging to provide aid to those affected. Heart-wrenching photos and social media posts depict the city, particularly neighborhoods along the banks of the river Derna, completely obliterated.
Individuals lucky enough to escape with their lives, such as Derna resident Saleh al-Obaidi and his family, recount the terrifying experience. Al-Obaidi revealed, People were asleep and woke up to find their homes surrounded by water, highlighting the suddenness and devastation of the disaster.
The relief efforts in response to the floods have been further hindered by the absence of a single unified government in Libya since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011. With divided leadership, the internationally recognized Government of National Unity in Tripoli assumes control over the western region, while General Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army governs the east from Tobruk.
It is noteworthy to mention that Derna itself has been plagued by political instability and conflict. From 2014 to 2018, the city was under the control of various factions, including affiliates of the Islamic State (IS), with religious militias endeavoring to implement Sharia law. In 2018, General Haftar declared the capture of Derna, and since then, he has been in charge of the city, which lies approximately 300 km east of Benghazi.
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, the internationally recognized government, under the leadership of Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, has promised to dispatch relief supplies to the east while declaring three days of mourning for the lives lost.
As Libya grapples with the aftermath of Storm Daniel, concerns continue to mount over the rising death toll and the challenges faced in providing urgent assistance to affected areas. With the country already plagued by political fragmentation, this disaster serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for unity and coordinated efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Libyan people in times of crisis.
