Photo Courtesy of AP
In a world rife with breaking news and global crises, Libya’s catastrophic floods might have slipped under your radar.
But make no mistake; this Mediterranean coastal city, Derna, has seen more than 5,000 deaths by the unforgiving waters.
The Dams Broke, Lives Were Shattered
Derna, a city once teeming with life, now stands as a haunting testament to the wrath of nature’s fury. The floods that struck this Mediterranean gem were nothing short of apocalyptic. Two dams crumbled like paper mache under the relentless onslaught of rain brought forth by the Mediterranean storm, Daniel. The result? The Wadi Derna River swelled to monstrous proportions, unleashing 23-foot-high waves upon the city.
Derna, with its historic medina district, mosques, synagogue, and Catholic church, now bears the scars of this disaster. One local official estimates that a quarter of the city has been swallowed by the sea. It’s a heartbreaking testament to the destruction wreaked upon a place steeped in history and culture.
Searching for Loved Ones Amidst the Rubble
The heart-wrenching aftermath sees distraught residents scouring the wreckage for the remains of their loved ones, some of whom were mercilessly carried away by the raging torrents, never to be seen again. Hospital yards are filled with dozens of lifeless bodies, while mass graves host shrouded corpses. Authorities fear that the death toll, currently at 5,100, will continue to rise.
Among the deceased are at least 84 Egyptians, their lives tragically cut short in a foreign land. It’s a somber reminder of the international dimension of this calamity.
A Divided Nation, Neglected Infrastructure
Rescue efforts have been thwarted by Libya’s political quagmire—a nation split between rival governments. Over a decade of conflict has left this country fractured and impoverished, with its infrastructure neglected to the point of collapse. Experts point to years of dam neglect, a consequence of ongoing factional fighting.
Meteorologists add another layer to the story, highlighting the growing trend of extreme weather due to human-induced climate change. It’s a bitter irony that a divided world is also facing the united wrath of a changing climate.
A research paper released in the preceding year regarding the hydrology of the Wadi Derna Basin emphasized the region’s susceptibility to flood risk, citing likely historical flood volumes, and underscored the necessity for periodic maintenance of the dams.
The report, authored by civil engineering expert Abdelwanees AR Ashoor of Libya’s University of Omar Al-Mukhtar, articulated that “the current situation in the Derna valley basin necessitates immediate action from authorities, including regular upkeep of the existing dams, as a massive flood event could have catastrophic consequences for both the valley’s residents and the city.”
Several specialists have pointed out the potential impact of political instability in Libya on the dam’s maintenance.
Amid ongoing rescue operations in the city, Libyan journalist Johr Ali, who has interviewed survivors, conveyed to the BBC: “People are hearing the cries of babies underground, they don’t know how to get to them. People are using shovels to get the bodies from underneath the ground, they are using their own hands. They all say it’s like doomsday.”
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The World’s Response
The world has not turned a blind eye to Libya’s plight. An enormous aid operation is underway, with President Joe Biden and other global leaders pledging support. However, even this outpouring of assistance cannot erase the scars of a nation wracked by internal strife and turmoil.
Despite the significant international aid effort mobilized to aid Libya during this dire crisis, the road to recovery remains fraught with challenges. Libya’s internal divisions and political instability have not dissipated overnight, and these underlying issues continue to hinder the nation’s ability to effectively respond to the disaster.
Warning Signs Ignored
The tragedy unfolding in Derna is not without precedent. Academic warnings were issued just last year, flagging the dams’ vulnerability. A study from the Sebha University Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences sounded the alarm, calling for immediate action, including the much-needed maintenance of these dams. Their predictions of homes being damaged or destroyed have tragically become reality.
In the end, Libya’s floods reveal more than just a natural disaster. They lay bare the consequences of division, neglect, and environmental recklessness. The lives lost, homes submerged, and a city shattered stand as a stark reminder that in a world gripped by turmoil, unity and action are our only lifelines.