Libya recently experienced one of Africa’s deadliest storms in recorded history. According to UN figures, nearly 4,000 people have lost their lives, and over 40,000 have been displaced due to catastrophic flooding. This natural disaster, caused by Storm Daniel, has left the nation in shambles and facing a monumental recovery effort.
Storm Daniel’s preliminary death toll of 5,300 in Libya as of Wednesday (September 20, 2023) morning has surpassed the 1927 floods in Algeria, making it the deadliest storm in Africa since 1900. This tragic event also ranks as the deadliest storm globally since 2013 when Super Typhoon Haiyan claimed 7,354 lives in the Philippines.
The epicenter of this catastrophe was the port city of Derna, with a population of 90,000. The failure of nearby dams allowed a massive wall of water to sweep through the city, causing extensive damage and loss of life. Despite the challenges, assessing the full impact of the flood in Derna remains difficult, as the region has been divided by conflict for over a decade, hampering coordinated relief efforts.
Climate change played a significant role in this disaster. The warming of the Mediterranean Sea over the past 40 years has led to more intense and moisture-laden storms like Storm Daniel. These storms, known as “medicanes” (Mediterranean tropical-like cyclones), are rare but becoming stronger due to climate change. The IPCC predicts fewer medicanes in the future but with increased intensity.
The flooding in Libya is not an isolated incident; it is part of a growing pattern of extreme weather events across Africa. Climate change is increasing the severity of weather disasters on the continent, affecting vulnerable populations and ecosystems. Attribution science has shown that human-caused climate change has influenced many extreme weather events in Africa.
While the disaster in Libya is primarily a result of climate change, it’s also important to note that vulnerabilities in infrastructure and societal preparedness played a role in the extent of the tragedy. Poor maintenance of dams in Derna, despite warnings from experts, further exacerbated the situation.
In response to the catastrophe, Libyan authorities have declared a state of emergency and initiated an investigation into the dam failures. Calls for international investigations and aid have emerged, highlighting the deep mistrust of state institutions in a country divided by conflict.
Humanitarian aid is pouring into Libya to help mitigate the suffering caused by this tragedy, but the long road to recovery lies ahead. This disaster serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address climate change and its profound impact on the world’s most vulnerable populations.
