Libya Floods Updates: Derna Death Toll Climbs to 5100

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Libya Floods News: More than 5,100 individuals are feared to have lost their lives following the collapse of dams in northeastern Libya because of heavy rainfall.

Libya Floods Updates: Derna Death Toll Climbs to 5100

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Libya Floods Update: On the night of September 10, heavy rainfall caused the collapse of two dams in northeastern Libya, worsening the flooding that had already affected several areas in the region. This disaster particularly hit Derna and other eastern parts of the country.

According to the interior ministry of Libya’s eastern government, at least 5,100 lives have been tragically lost as a result of these floods. Additionally, there are concerns that the death toll could rise even further, as there are reports of approximately 10,000 people who are still unaccounted for.

The continuous heavy rainfall we’ve been witnessing is a result of the remains of a strong low-pressure system. This system was officially named Storm Daniel by the national meteorological organizations in southeastern Europe. As this storm hit the coast, people in the city heard loud explosions, indicating that dams outside the city had collapsed. This led to sudden and powerful flash floods rushing down the Wadi Derna, which is a river that flows from the mountains through the city and into the sea.

Just last week, Storm Daniel caused significant damage in Greece, leading to widespread flooding. Afterward, it moved into the Mediterranean and transformed into something known as a “medicane,” which is a term used to describe a weather phenomenon that’s a combination of a tropical cyclone and a Mediterranean storm.

13 Sep 2023, 06:54:45 PM IST
Egypt recovers 87 dead bodies from storm-hit Libya

Egypt has successfully brought back 87 bodies of Egyptian nationals who lost their lives in Libya as a result of Storm Daniel. This update was shared by the Egyptian Ministry of Emigration on Wednesday. The Egyptian military played a crucial role in repatriating these bodies, and they have been laid to rest in their hometowns across Egypt, as confirmed by the ministry.

13 Sep 2023, 04:21:02 PM IST
Death toll in Derna rises to 5100

The number of lives lost in the flood disaster in Derna, Libya, has tragically climbed to over 5,100, according to a statement from a health official.

13 Sep 2023, 02:43:17 PM IST
Libya floods: United Nations allocates $10 million for Libya flood relief

The United Nations aid chief, Martin Griffiths, shared on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that emergency teams are actively mobilizing to offer aid on the ground in response to the severe consequences of Storm Daniel in eastern Libya. In his tweet, Griffiths announced, “I am setting aside $10 million from UNCERF to promptly assist those impacted by the floods. We are here to support the people of Libya during this challenging period.”

13 Sep 2023, 02:14:51 PM IST
Libya floods: Telecom services restored, Libya’s PM urges telecom providers to provide free internet, telecom services

After the destructive floods on Sunday, internet and phone services were interrupted in various places. Nevertheless, Libya’s government-owned telecom company, the Libyan Post Telecommunications and Information Technology Company, confirmed on September 12 that services have been reestablished in several areas. Libya’s Prime Minister has given directives to telecommunication companies to offer free communication and internet services to all citizens as a response to the situation.

13 Sep 2023, 01:38:13 PM IST
Libya floods: Warnings were issued for Storm Daniel, 72 hours prior to the catastrophic event says Libya’s MeT

Libya’s National Meteorological Centre had issued advance warnings about Storm Daniel, which they classified as an “extreme weather event,” a full 72 hours before it struck. During the period from September 10 to 11, there was a remarkable record of 414.1 millimeters (16.3 inches) of rain recorded in Bayda.

13 Sep 2023, 01:29:51 PM IST
Libya floods: How initial Dam breach set off chain reaction leading to devastating floods

The initial breach of a towering 70-meter (230-foot) dam set off a series of events in Derna. When the floodwaters surged beyond the first dam, they gathered behind a second dam. Under the mounting pressure, the second dam also gave way and collapsed.

13 Sep 2023, 12:34:27 PM IST
In pics| Libya floods:  Libyan National Army Initiates search and rescue efforts in storm-ravaged Derna

The Libyan National Army (LNA) has released pictures showing the commencement of search and rescue missions in Derna, a city in eastern Libya that suffered greatly from the destructive effects of Storm Daniel.

13 Sep 2023, 12:12:31 PM IST
Libya floods: There was no warning system, ‘Only indication of danger was loud sound of dams cracking

The city of Derna, situated in eastern Libya, experienced the full force of this catastrophe. Riverside structures either disappeared or were carried away by the floodwaters when two dams gave way. Troubling videos show torrents of water racing through the city’s few remaining tall buildings, overturned vehicles, and lines of covered bodies on the sidewalks. The residents had no access to a warning system or evacuation strategy; they only became aware of the impending danger when they heard the ominous sound of dam ruptures.

13 Sep 2023, 11:45:20 AM IST
In pics| Libya floods: Aftermath of Storm Daniel shows floodwater raging through the streets, damaged cars, collapsed buildings

Derna, a city already severely impacted by the unleashed floods of Storm Daniel, is now grappling with severe flooding. The city has become isolated because of roads that have collapsed and disrupted communication networks. The municipal council of Derna has expressed its inability to manage the overwhelming crisis and has called for “international intervention” to assist in the situation.

13 Sep 2023, 11:19:36 AM IST
Watch| Libya floods: Aftermath of rainstorm shows floodwater raging through the streets, submerged cars, collapsed buildings 

Videos showing submerged cars, collapsed buildings, and torrents of water rushing through the streets circulated widely on social media. The city of Derna, in particular, became “completely isolated” from the outside world following the failure of two old dams.

13 Sep 2023, 11:03:42 AM IST
Libya floods: ‘Deadliest environmental catastrophe’ in history exposes Libya’s vulnerable infrastructure 

The recent floods are being described as the most devastating environmental disaster in Libya’s modern history. The country’s long-standing conflict and the lack of a unified central government have led to a decline in infrastructure, making it vulnerable to the effects of heavy rainfall. Remarkably, Libya is the only nation, according to the United Nations, that has not yet formulated a climate strategy.

13 Sep 2023, 10:48:01 AM IST
Libya floods: National Oil Corporation sends aid to flood stricken city of Derna

The National Oil Corporation (NOC) has dispatched essential relief supplies to the flood-affected city of Derna in eastern Libya. They utilized their sea tanker, OSU 25, which arrived in Derna on September 12 to deliver this assistance.

13 Sep 2023, 10:37:28 AM IST
Libya floods: Derna receives international aid after 36-hour delay following catastrophic flooding

It took quite some time for external aid to reach Derna, with more than 36 hours passing since the disaster struck. On September 12, airplanes carrying relief and rescue teams from Egypt, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates finally arrived in Benghazi. Additionally, Germany, France, and Italy are preparing to send rescue personnel and aid to assist in the relief efforts.

13 Sep 2023, 10:33:43 AM IST
Libya floods: Floodwater in Libya’s Derna overwhelms hospitals, mortuaries; leaves streets laden with dead bodies

The hospitals in the city are no longer operational, and mortuaries are struggling to cope with the overwhelming number of bodies. Deceased individuals had to be laid out on the pavements outside the mortuaries due to the lack of space. Authorities fear that entire neighborhoods in the city may have been obliterated. The floods have also caused extensive damage to or complete destruction of many roads leading to the city, further complicating access and relief efforts.

13 Sep 2023, 10:27:42 AM IST
Libya floods: Why did the two Dams collapse?

Climate scientist Karsten Haustein has proposed that Storm Daniel unleashed a staggering 440 millimeters (equivalent to 15.7 inches) of rainfall in a brief period over eastern Libya. This amount of rain had the potential to strain the region’s infrastructure significantly. The dire situation in Derna has been further exacerbated by the neglect of its infrastructure over the years, intensifying the impact of this disaster.

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