Libyan Minister of Education, Musa Al-Maqreef has established a committee to assess and document the damages incurred by educational institutions, due to the recent weather fluctuations affecting cities and regions across the country.
In response to the impact of weather changes, Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba declared an official holiday on Sunday, for all institutions and public facilities.
The government’s decision excludes entities whose responsibilities are directly related to the rapid response to safeguarding citizens’ safety.
Several regions in Janzour have been submerged under rainwater. The municipality released images depicting the extent of the inundation caused by the adverse weather conditions. Responding to an emergency report, teams from the water and sewage company, municipal cleaning services, emergency medicine, national support, and safety, assisted by municipal guards and security directorate, were mobilised to tackle the situation near the Al-Shaima clinic.
Meanwhile, the Jadu municipality reported a power outage in the Tamzada locality, due to the burning of three high-voltage poles. These were attributed to the current weather conditions in the northwest region of the country.
The National Center for Meteorology shared footage showing the flow in Wadi Al Majinin, in Tripoli, triggered by the heavy rains. Further scenes posted by the Tripoli Public Services Company showed rising water levels in the valley. The company affirmed its efforts to facilitate the flow of water, and mitigate its impact.
This development highlights the challenges faced by various towns and cities in dealing with extreme weather conditions, and underscores the need for enhanced infrastructure and emergency response mechanisms to address such natural disasters.
Libya has been grappling with a variety of challenges in recent years. Known for its vast desert landscapes, Libya is also home to the longest Mediterranean coastline in North Africa, and numerous ancient Greek and Roman ruins. The country has been affected by political instability following the Arab Spring, and the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. This instability has led to various issues, including economic challenges and infrastructural decay.
Libya’s climate is predominantly desert, with very hot, dry summers and mild winters. However, the country occasionally experiences extreme weather events, including heavy rainfall, which can lead to significant flooding. The infrastructure, still recovering from years of conflict, often struggles to cope with such adverse weather conditions, leading to power outages and water logging in many areas. These challenges are compounded by the ongoing political and economic situation, which hinders rapid response, and effective management of natural disasters and their aftermath.