As victims grapple with the causes of the devastating floods in Libya, growing suspicions point to the state of the dams. A civil engineer with more than 40 years experience in Libya told the BBC that the collapse of the dams should not have happened and emphasized the need for a water release mechanism during heavy rains.
The collapse of two dams sent torrents of water into the city of Derna, causing massive land erosion and loss of human life. Kanakis Mandalios, the founder of a Greek construction company, stressed the urgent need to renew infrastructure, especially for cities like Benghazi. Mandalios noted that there has been a lack of urban planning in Libya since 1997. He added that unauthorized settlements near the dam could have interrupted the flow of water. However, he believes that the aftermath of the disaster offers an opportunity for reconstruction and future prevention.
In a distressing sequel, victims of the Derna floods have been discovered on beaches up to 100 km away, a Tobruk resident reported. Nasir Almnsori, who lost relatives in the flood and whose survivors have now moved to Tobruk, shared the harrowing fact that many flood victims are being washed ashore in places far from Derna. With much of Derna decimated, many survivors find nothing to return to.
Bashir Ben Amir of the International Rescue Committee underlined the mammoth challenges facing rescue and recovery teams. With most of the entry points to Derna damaged, only one remains operational. The town has no electricity, water, fuel and constant telephone reception. Ben Amir highlighted the growing needs and said, “Our teams are working day and night, but the needs are great and increasing day by day.”
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