‘Desert turned into a sea’: Eastern Libya flood survivors recount horror

The devastating flash floods that struck eastern Libya last week have left survivors without food and water, as they struggle to find their loved ones amidst the destruction. The floods, caused by Storm Daniel, have claimed the lives of over 11,000 people, leaving behind a trail of devastation and despair.

Muhammad al-Awkali, a 22-year-old resident of al-Mukhaili village near Derna, vividly recalls the moment when his village was engulfed by the floods. After a violent storm passed through the area, there was a deceptive calm before the disaster struck. In the middle of the night, water started gushing into their homes without warning. Al-Awkali and his family sought refuge on the roof, only to witness the horrifying sight of a massive flood engulfing the entire area from two different directions.

The floods left many trapped in their homes, unable to reach safety on the rooftops. Al-Awkali himself was carried away by the torrent and thrown across a neighbor’s fence. After a struggle, he managed to climb his neighbor’s wall and found them fighting off the water from the top of their cupboards. The village residents spent days on their rooftops and furniture, cut off from the outside world without access to food or drink.

Derna, the worst-hit city, suffered the brunt of the floods as dams overwhelmed the city, unleashing a torrent of water. The death toll in Derna alone could climb to 20,000, according to Mayor Abdel-Moneim al-Ghaithi. Search and rescue efforts are underway, with at least 10,000 people still missing. Aid has started to arrive from the internationally-recognized government in Tripoli and international donors, but neighboring areas are yet to receive assistance.

Faisal al-Darsi, a resident of al-Wardiya village near Bayda, expressed frustration at the lack of help from the government and official bodies. Collapsed roads and damaged infrastructure have made it difficult to access the village, leaving its inhabitants without electricity, fuel, water, or food. The floods have destroyed supermarkets, homes, and essential infrastructure, exacerbating the already fragile situation in the conflict-ridden country.

The storm has exposed the vulnerabilities of Libya, a country plagued by corruption, poor infrastructure maintenance, and years of political infighting. The divided administrations have left the nation ill-equipped to handle such natural disasters. In addition to the loss of life and destruction, families are grappling with the anguish of not knowing the fate of their loved ones. Entire families have been lost, some buried under mud, and others swept away by the torrent into the sea.

The situation in hospitals, such as in Susa, remains catastrophic. Tahani al-Zani, a surgeon who heads an emergency department, described the overwhelming influx of bodies and the emotional toll it has taken. Communication and power were abruptly cut off, leaving families in the dark about each other’s well-being. The hospitals are struggling to cope with the mounting number of bodies, including children, as the aftermath of the storm continues to unfold.

As Libya mourns the loss of thousands of lives and grapples with the extensive damage caused by the floods, the need for immediate assistance and long-term measures to mitigate future disasters has become evident. The international community, along with the Libyan government, must come together to provide aid, support, and resources to help the affected regions recover and rebuild their lives.

Source:  Al Jazeera