A catastrophic flood ravaged the coastal city of Derna in Libya, a once-thriving home to approximately 100,000 souls on September 14, 2023. Storm Daniel, a formidable force that had already wreaked havoc in other Mediterranean countries, descended upon Libya over the weekend. This is a fierce storm that had already caused chaos in Greece, Bulgaria, and Turkey before unleashing its torrential rain on Libya.
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The relentless rainwater inundated a typically dry riverbed, or wadi, nestled in the hills south of Derna. The immense pressure proved too much for the two dams that had been erected to safeguard the city from potential floods. The dams led to their catastrophic collapse in the face of Daniel and unleashed a devastating torrent that surged through the city.
Over 11,300 lives lost, 10,000 still unaccounted for
Within a mere 24-hour period, Denial, the medicane (Mediterranean hurricane-like system), deposited over 400mm of rain on the northeastern coast. It is a truly extraordinary volume in a region accustomed to a mere 1.5mm for the entirety of September. Libya’s National Meteorological Centre officially declared this as a new rainfall record, corroborated by satellite data revealing the extensive scope of the rainfall. However, actual measurements on the ground often exceeded these recorded figures.
Emergency services swiftly reported a grim tally of over 11,300 lives lost within Derna’s confines. A staggering 10,000 individuals remained unaccounted for, their fates enshrouded in uncertainty, while a significant number of people bore the brunt of injuries.
The devastating storm also claimed lives in other regions of eastern Libya, including the towns of Bayda, Susa, Um Razaz, and Marj, as confirmed by Health Minister Othman Abduljalil.
Experts point out that even six inches (20cm) of fast-moving floodwater can knock a person off their feet, while 2ft (60cm) is sufficient to float a car. Given this, it’s unsurprising that entire buildings were swept away in the flood.
Derna: A city unprepared and devastated by nature’s fury
Derna, positioned 250 kilometers (150 miles) east of Benghazi, stood defenseless, encircled by daunting hills and traversed by a riverbed that would ordinarily run dry in the summer months. However, in the wake of the storm, it transformed into a relentless torrent of water, wiping out several vital bridges in its way.
Yann Fridez, at the helm of the Libya delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), bore witness to the cataclysmic nature of the disaster. He described a relentless wave towering at 7 meters (23 feet), obliterating structures and carrying vital infrastructure into the unforgiving sea. Now, amidst the wreckage, family members remained unaccounted for, lifeless bodies washed ashore, and homes lay in ruins.
To address the overwhelming tragedy, the ICRC announced its distribution of 6,000 body bags, aimed at assisting the authorities and the Libyan Red Crescent Society in ensuring the dignified treatment of the deceased.
However, amid the grief and chaos, the World Health Organization and other humanitarian organizations voiced their concern on Friday. These organisations urged Libyan authorities to refrain from hasty mass burials or cremations. Dr. Kazunobu Kojima, a medical officer specializing in biosafety and biosecurity, underscored the need for a considered approach, one that respects the dignity of the departed, even in the wake of this unfathomable tragedy.
The situation in Derna remains dire, with access to the city severely impeded by the widespread destruction of roads and bridges. Moreover, power and phone lines have been severed across extensive areas, rendering at least 30,000 people homeless and isolated from essential services.
Neighbourhoods Demolished, Bridges in Ruins
The consequences of this devastating flood have been nothing short of catastrophic for large swaths of the city, with some officials estimating that a quarter or more of Derna has been obliterated. The areas most severely impacted lie along the banks of the Wadi coursing through the city center. Here, embankments housing entire neighborhoods were demolished or swept away.
Critical infrastructure, including city bridges, was reduced to rubble. The floodwaters uprooted trees, left hundreds of cars in ruins, some of them perched on the second-floor balconies of buildings. The cityscape is marred by a thick layer of mud.
The catastrophe disrupted essential services, severing power and water supplies in its wake. However, there have been efforts to partially restore electricity and internet services, as reported by the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
The damage inflicted on crucial infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, has severely hampered relief operations. OCHA noted the destruction of all three bridges in Derna, compounding the logistical challenges.
In response to the dire situation, rescue teams from Egypt, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Qatar have arrived to provide search and rescue support.
A decades-long infrastructure crisis unveiled
The United Nations has recognized the gravity of the situation, highlighting the urgent need for alternative means of assistance and evacuation. As roads crumbled into oblivion, the municipality of Derna has pressed relevant authorities to establish a sea corridor for emergency relief and evacuations.
Tragically, Derna’s Deputy Mayor, Ahmed Madroud, revealed that the dams responsible for this catastrophic breach had not undergone proper maintenance since 2002, underscoring a glaring neglect of critical infrastructure.
Anas El Gomati, the Founder and Director of the Sadeq Institute, laid the blame at the feet of eastern authorities for their disregard for essential infrastructure upkeep. He cited corruption and financial mismanagement as the root causes behind the persistent deterioration of Libya’s infrastructure over the decades. Furthermore, he alleged that successive regimes, in conjunction with the military investment authority, had effectively cannibalized Libya’s public infrastructure in the eastern region. The result of this systemic neglect and exploitation has been the grievous catastrophe that has befallen the people of Derna.
The head of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) lamented on Thursday that the staggering casualties could have been averted if the long-divided and strife-torn nation had a functional weather service capable of issuing timely warnings.
In a research paper published the previous year, hydrologist Abdelwanees A. R. Ashoor, affiliated with Libya’s Omar Al-Mukhtar University, had presciently highlighted the recurring threat of seasonal riverbed flooding to Derna. He cited a history of five floods dating back to 1942 and called for immediate measures to ensure the consistent maintenance of the dams.
Libyan officials emphasize that the country has never before confronted a catastrophe of this magnitude. However, the fractured political landscape in Libya has complicated the response to this crisis. Despite Derna falling under the eastern administration, the western government based in Tripoli has dispatched aid to the beleaguered city.
Derna has a history of susceptibility to flooding, with at least five deadly floods recorded since 1942. The two dams that failed on Monday were constructed approximately half a century ago, between 1973 and 1977, by a Yugoslav construction company. The Derna dam stands at an impressive 75 meters (246 feet) in height, with a storage capacity of 18 million cubic meters (4.76 billion gallons). The second dam, Mansour, measures 45 meters (148 feet) in height, holding a capacity of 1.5 million cubic meters (396 million gallons).