Title: The disastrous consequences of Storm Daniel in Libya: between neglect and climate change
Introduction :
Recently, Libya was hit by Storm Daniel, causing catastrophic flooding in the Derna region. Beyond the tragic consequences for the population, this disaster highlighted infrastructure failures and the impact of climate change on the region. In this article we will analyze the factors that contributed to this tragedy and the necessary measures to avoid such situations in the future.
Failing infrastructure:
One of the key factors in this disaster is the obsolescence of the region’s dams. Built more than 50 years ago by a Yugoslav company, these dams had been neglected in terms of maintenance. In fact, the last audit dated back to 2002, which greatly contributed to their fragility. Cracks present inside the constructions have also weakened their strength over the years. It is alarming to note that this situation is not limited to these specific dams, but concerns all of the country’s infrastructure, due to the widespread lack of maintenance.
Lack of preventive measures:
Another gap in disaster management is the lack of preventive measures taken by local authorities. Despite the passage of storm Daniel in Greece a few days before, no preventive evacuation was put in place. Experts say measures could have been taken, such as setting up an early warning system or evacuating to safer areas higher up. This could have saved lives and limited the damage.
The impact of climate change:
Storm Daniel is a striking example of the impact of climate change on the region. It is a Mediterranean subtropical cyclone, known as the “Medicane”. The combination of exceptionally high sea surface temperatures and increased evaporation created the conditions for this cyclone to form. The violent winds and heavy rainfall that accompanied it had devastating consequences, made worse by the dryness of the soils which were unable to absorb such quantities of water.
Conclusion :
Storm Daniel and the floods that hit Libya highlight the consequences of a tragic combination of neglect and climate change. It is crucial that authorities take steps to improve infrastructure maintenance and put in place early warning systems. Additionally, it is necessary to actively engage in the fight against climate change in order to limit extreme weather events and protect vulnerable populations. It is imperative that we learn from this tragedy and take steps to avoid similar situations in the future