Calay News
In the wake of a catastrophic flood that struck the eastern Libyan port town of Derna, anger and sorrow grip the nation as residents and experts express frustration over the disregard of earlier warnings that might have prevented this devastating disaster. The calamity unfolded as hydrologist Abdul Wanis Ashour’s dire predictions, published in an academic paper last year, tragically came to pass.
Ashour had meticulously researched the state of the dams safeguarding Derna over the past 17 years. His findings revealed severe issues, including cracks in the dams, excessive rainfall, and repeated flooding. He had warned of an impending catastrophe unless the dams were urgently maintained.
“The Libyan government knew what was going on in the Derna River Valley and the danger of the situation for a very long time,” Ashour lamented. He noted that reports from experts and foreign companies had also signaled the impending danger.
The night of September 10 saw the dry riverbed, known as the Derna Wadi, breach its dams, inundating the city below with a torrent of water. The consequences were catastrophic, with thousands confirmed dead and many more missing.
Residents like Abdulqader Mohamed Alfakhakhri witnessed the tragedy firsthand, watching as neighbors were swept away. Anger and frustration mount as the community grieves the loss of life, with many attributing the catastrophe to human error and inadequate dam maintenance.
Efforts to repair the dams had been initiated as early as 2007, with a Turkish company awarded the contract. However, the security situation in the region hampered progress. Even after the city’s liberation, work did not resume, leaving the dams vulnerable.
Critics argue that not only was the failure to repair the dams a grave mistake, but authorities also failed to evacuate residents as the storm approached, exacerbating the disaster’s impact.
Libya, a nation plagued by political divisions and conflict, grapples with the aftermath of yet another tragedy. The catastrophic floods in Derna serve as a stark reminder of the importance of infrastructure maintenance and disaster preparedness, lessons that should resonate far beyond its borders.
