Floods in Libya – The New York Times

The initial floods in northeastern Libya — after torrential rain this past weekend — were bad enough. But the worst of the damage was not a result of those floods. It has instead come from the subsequent bursting of two dams near the coastal city of Derna.

The waters that those dams had been holding back washed entire neighborhoods into the sea, officials said. Tall buildings fell into the mud, trapping residents under rubble. At least 5,200 people have died and thousands more are missing.

“The situation is catastrophic,” the Derna City Council said in a Facebook post. “Derna is pleading for help.”

The chain of events — first a major storm, followed by a collapse of infrastructure that made the situation far worse — reminded experts of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans almost 20 years ago.

Today’s newsletter gives you the latest news from Libya, with help from our colleagues Vivian Nereim, a Times correspondent, and Mohammed Abdusamee, who is in Tripoli.

The rescue effort

Medical teams have flown to Libya to help search for survivors and treat the injured. But rescue efforts have been slow because the flooding cut off roads into Derna.

Workers from Turkey and the United Arab Emirates arrived yesterday in Benghazi, a city more than 180 miles away. The Libyan government in Tripoli also has sent supplies, including body bags and medical equipment, to Benghazi. But it is not clear if supplies have reached the most affected areas.

The Derna City Council called for a safe shipping route to the city and for international intervention.

President Biden said the U.S. would send emergency funds to relief organizations and that it would coordinate with the U.N. and Libyan authorities. Emmanuel Macron, France’s leader, also announced financial and other aid for organizations working in Libya.

Climate change

Scientists say that climate change may have increased the severity of the storm that caused the flooding, a Mediterranean cyclone named Daniel. Though climate change is likely making Mediterranean cyclones less common, it is intensifying those that do form.

Making matters worse, Libyans are especially vulnerable. “Libya is ill-prepared to handle the effects of climate change and extreme weather,” said Malak Altaeb, an environmental expert.

Most Libyans live in coastal areas at risk of flooding as sea levels rise. Towns along dry riverbeds can also flood rapidly when heavy rain falls and the parched earth struggles to absorb it.

“This is going to happen more and more as the climate warms,” said Matthew Brubacher, an expert on Libyan climate change. “Everything is falling apart.”

Political instability

Since Muammar el-Qaddafi’s government fell in 2011, Libya has lacked a strong central government. Instead, two rival factions have struggled for control: an internationally recognized government based in Tripoli, in the west, and another group in the east whose domain includes the flooded area.

As Daniel approached, the authorities in eastern Libya — who have limited resources — seemed to have no plan to monitor the dams and evacuate residents, experts said. “For the past 10 years there hasn’t really been much investment in the country’s infrastructure,” said Claudia Gazzini of the International Crisis Group.

More flooding still seems possible. Yesterday, the mayor of Tocra, 120 miles from Derna, warned on a local television channel that another dam was at risk of collapse.

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• King Mohammed VI, Morocco’s leader, has kept a low profile after the earthquake. Some said that slowed rescue efforts.

• Though citizens are frustrated with the earthquake response, criticism of the king can have serious consequences.

• Many Moroccans are eager for visitors to keep coming to support the economy and fund relief.

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