By José Carlos Palma*
The Libyan city of Derna was devastated by floods last week, killing over 5,000 people and leaving thousands more homeless. The floods were caused by a combination of factors, including heavy rainfall, collapsed dams, and political chaos.
The city of Derna is located in a region that is prone to heavy rainfall, especially during the autumn months. In the days leading up to the floods, the city received over 100 mm of rain, which is more than the average monthly rainfall for September.
Two dams in the Wadi Derna, a seasonal river that runs through the city, collapsed due to the heavy rains. This caused a torrent of water to rush into the city, flooding homes, businesses, and infrastructure.
Libya has been in political chaos since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. This has led to a lack of investment in infrastructure, including dams and levees. As a result, the dams were not properly maintained and were more likely to collapse.
The combination of these factors created the perfect storm in Derna. The heavy rains caused the dams to collapse, which in turn caused the floods. The floods were exacerbated by the political chaos, which had led to a lack of investment in infrastructure.
The floods in Derna are a reminder of the importance of infrastructure investment in disaster-prone areas. When infrastructure is not properly maintained, it can lead to disasters like the one in Derna. It is also important to have strong disaster preparedness plans in place so that people can be evacuated and assisted in the event of a disaster.
The people of Derna are still reeling from the effects of the floods. They have lost their homes, their businesses, and their loved ones. The international community must come together to help the people of Derna rebuild their lives.
In addition to the death toll, the floods have also caused widespread damage to infrastructure. Roads, bridges, and buildings have been destroyed, and power and water supplies have been disrupted. The United Nations estimates that over 100,000 people have been affected by the floods.
The international community has pledged to help the people of Derna recover from the floods. The United Nations has launched an appeal for $100 million in aid, and several countries have already provided assistance.
The floods in Derna are a tragedy, but they also offer an opportunity for the international community to come together and help a country that has been devastated by conflict. With the right support, the people of Derna can rebuild their lives and create a better future for themselves and their children.
* Expert in international relations, such as foreign policy, international trade, domestic security, international security, developing nations, domestic security, intelligence, IT Consultant, world history, political consultant, and military analysis.