In a candid and controversial statement, the head of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) emphasized that the devastating floods in Libya could have been averted had the nation possessed a functional weather service capable of issuing timely warnings. WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas made these remarks during a press conference in Geneva, highlighting that Libya’s critical challenge in managing the aftermath of these deadly floods was the dysfunctional state of its government.
Taalas underlined, “If they would have been a normally operating meteorological service, they could have issued warnings,” emphasizing that this would have enabled emergency management authorities to conduct timely evacuations, thus preventing most of the human casualties.
The complexity of rescue operations in Libya is further exacerbated by the country’s political fragmentation, stemming from years of conflict. Since the NATO-backed uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has lacked a strong central government. The internationally recognized Government of National Unity (GNU) operates in the west, while a parallel administration controls the east, including the flood-stricken city of Derna.
Taalas revealed that the WMO had previously attempted to assist Libya in reforming its meteorological system, but these efforts were thwarted by security threats, reflecting the challenging conditions on the ground.
The dire consequences of the floods in Derna were tragically evident as survivors sifted through the ruins, searching for their loved ones amid the devastation. The flood, triggered by a powerful storm, breached dams and swept away multi-story buildings, resulting in a significant loss of life. While official death tolls varied, they all numbered in the thousands, with Derna Mayor Abdulmenam al-Ghaithi expressing fears of an impending epidemic due to the large number of bodies trapped in the debris and water.
Heart-wrenching stories emerged from survivors desperately seeking their missing family members, highlighting the scale of the disaster. Usama Al Husadi, a father searching for his wife and children, lamented the loss of dozens of family members.
The international community responded to the crisis by sending rescue teams and aid. Nations such as Egypt, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Qatar dispatched teams and supplies to assist. Italy contributed planes, personnel, and navy ships to aid the relief efforts, despite challenges in the damaged port of Derna.
The political fractures within Libya, a nation of seven million people, have further hampered rescue work. Since Gaddafi’s ousting in 2011, no single government has held nationwide control. The situation is compounded by the existence of the Government of National Unity in Tripoli and the parallel administration in the east, controlled by the Libyan National Army of Khalifa Haftar.
In a rare gesture of solidarity, a delegation of GNU ministers ventured to the east to discuss relief efforts, despite previous opposition from the eastern-based parliament.
The devastating impact of the floods is starkly visible from elevated vantage points in Derna, where the city center has been transformed into a vast expanse of mud and water. Streets are strewn with debris, uprooted trees, and mangled cars, bearing witness to the destructive force of the flood.
Survivors grapple with the pain of loss, finding the bodies of loved ones and strangers alike amid the wreckage. Amid these heart-wrenching scenes, nations worldwide express their thoughts and prayers for the people of Morocco and Libya during this challenging period.
