Severe weather conditions in northwestern Libya have led to tragic consequences, including the death of a citizen and significant damage to public roads due to devastating flash floods.
The local authorities have decided to suspend classes until conditions stabilize, as communities grapple with the aftermath of the storms.
This marks the second major storm to hit the city of Bani Walid in just three weeks. The ongoing extreme weather has been battering various regions of Libya since the beginning of summer, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake, especially in southern cities. The torrential rains and floods are being described as “unprecedented” in recent memory.
The Emergency and Ambulance Services in Bani Walid issued a warning on Monday, urging residents to stay away from flood-prone areas. The warning came after the vehicle of a local resident, Abdel Khaleq Awad, was swept away by the powerful floods while traveling on the Washtata road between Bani Walid and Tarhuna on Saturday, resulting in his death.
As floodwaters surged and engulfed parts of the city, the authorities raised the alert level. They reported a rapid rise in water levels from the nearby Qarjouma and Noura valleys, urging residents to remain cautious and avoid these areas.
In September, the southern Libyan city of Sabha, often referred to as the “Bride of the South,” was hit by a severe storm that killed two people and injured 39 others.
The storm also caused significant damage to homes, forcing the Libyan National Army to deploy forces to rescue stranded citizens.
Local media quoted the head of the Emergency Services in Bani Walid, Mohamed Abu Niran, describing the situation on the Washtata road as “catastrophic.” The city’s public sanitation services issued a brief statement saying their emergency team is working hard to clear pathways and assist citizens.
In response to the ongoing floods, the Libyan Red Crescent in Bani Walid dispatched emergency teams to help rescue residents stranded by the flash floods in Washtata.
Social media users have criticized the deteriorating infrastructure in the region, blaming poor road conditions for the extent of the damage. Many are calling for accountability, highlighting that the roads failed to withstand the torrential rains, leading to severe flooding.
Video footage has surfaced showing Red Crescent and emergency teams retrieving vehicles stranded by the floodwaters in the Washtata valley between Tarhuna and Bani Walid.
Due to the severe weather, the local education authority in Bani Walid announced the suspension of classes at both public and private schools on Monday as a safety precaution.
Libya has been experiencing unpredictable weather patterns in recent months. This is the third time in August alone that severe weather has struck. In early August, flash floods hit the southeastern city of Kufra, followed by heavy rains in the southwestern cities of Ghat, Tahala, Awainat, and Barkat, causing extensive damage.
Local authorities in Bani Walid have evacuated the village of “Factory 51” after floodwaters inundated around 25 homes. Residents were relocated to a nearby school for safety.
Despite the destruction, many Bani Walid residents welcomed the heavy rains, which have filled the valleys, bringing much-needed water to their fields and farms. The downpour from the Wadi Al-Bilad region has been described as “unprecedented in nearly a decade.”
