Libya… Floods Trap One City, Another Declares “Loss of Control”
The government appointed by the Libyan parliament declared the city of Derna a disaster area after it was hit by the storm Dana coming from Greece, affecting other areas and cities in the eastern part of the country, reaching its peak on Sunday.
With unprecedented heavy rainfall at this time of the year, water rushed forcefully in the course of the Derna Valley, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea. Local sources confirmed that the main dams protecting the city from floods remained undamaged.
The course of the Derna Valley is located in the city center, which is a low-lying area where water from the nearby Green Mountain cities gathers.
Floods encircle
Apart from endangering the lives of citizens due to being trapped by floods, the current situation threatens key landmarks in Derna, especially the shrines of the companions, its mosque, and the Derna waterfall, which is the city’s largest tourist attraction.
The Derna Security Directorate previously announced a curfew in the city starting from 7:00 PM on Sunday until 8:00 AM on Monday. It also called for the evacuation of residents living in areas close to the seashore, valleys, and rainwater drainage areas for their safety.
Out of control situation
The situation was no less challenging in Al Bayda, where water inundated several homes and vital facilities, including the Al Bayda Medical Center, where workers attempted to drain the water, which caused the collapse of the center’s side wall.
The mayor of Al Bayda, Safi al-Din Heiba, declared that the situation had gotten out of control due to the floods, calling on all authorities in Libya to urgently intervene “to save what can be saved.” He also urged citizens to stay inside their homes and only go out when absolutely necessary, while calling on all security and service agencies to assist in rescuing those stranded due to the floods and torrents that have engulfed the city.
Simultaneously, the Libyan National Army reported losing contact with five soldiers and a vehicle during rescue operations in Al Bayda. Additionally, the ambulance service lost two vehicles due to the city’s floods.
The impact of Storm Dana was somewhat less severe in Benghazi, where civilian teams participated in addressing the flood damage. However, the situation in areas near the coast remained challenging, with complete inundation. Questions were raised about the ability of the “Wadi Qattara Dam,” located just 33 kilometers east of Benghazi, to withstand the high water pressure, as it gathers all the torrents from the Green Mountain.
Floods trap citizens
Wind speeds ranged between 120 and 180 kilometers in Benghazi, Al Marj, Al Bayda, Shahhat, Derna, and Tobruk. Distress calls came from Al Bayda, Shahhat, and the “Bata” area to rescue stranded citizens amid the floods. Wadi Qattara Dam: All torrents from the Green Mountain flow into the dam, which is only 33 kilometers east of Benghazi, meaning Benghazi could flood at any moment. Storm Heading Towards Egypt
The director of the National Center for Meteorology, Muhi al-Din Ali, stated that the effects of the low-pressure system accompanying Storm Dana began to recede today, on Monday, and would completely disappear by tomorrow, Tuesday. This is as the storm moves to the Jaghbub Oasis in the far east of the country and then to the border regions in Egypt.
During the past few hours, the storm focused on the eastern region, resulting in heavy rainfall and the flow of valleys and water accumulation in several areas, according to Ali, who called for continued caution and vigilance and advised against standing in the paths of torrents.
