The Iraqi embassy in Libya has urged its citizens to stay in contact if they require assistance, as it closely monitors the flooding situation affecting the southern Libyan city of Sabha.
In a statement posted on its official social media page, the embassy expressed its “deep concern” over the floods and reassured Iraqi citizens that it is coordinating with the relevant authorities to ensure their safety. The embassy also mentioned that it is in communication with several Iraqi families in the area and wished them well during this challenging time.
Additionally, the embassy encouraged Iraqi nationals in Libya to reach out for help when needed, providing a contact number: +218 91 245 5555.
The recent heavy rains in Sabha have claimed the lives of two people and injured 33 others. In response to the disaster, Osama Hammad, the Prime Minister appointed by the Libyan House of Representatives, declared a state of emergency for Sabha and the southern regions. He also formed an “Emergency and Rapid Response Committee” to address the aftermath of the flooding.
On Sunday, catastrophic flooding struck the southern Libyan city of Sabha, leaving more than 3,000 homes destroyed and creating a dire humanitarian crisis.
The city, already struggling with underdeveloped infrastructure, was overwhelmed by torrential rains over the weekend, which turned streets into lakes and swamps. Residents are now grappling with widespread destruction, as homes collapsed under the weight of floodwaters, trapping families and leading to the tragic deaths of two people and injuries to 33 others.
Sabha’s Mayor, Belhaj Mohammed, has declared the situation in the city as “disastrous.” The heavy rains, compounded by a failing sewage system, left entire neighborhoods submerged under waters as deep as 1.5 meters in some areas.
“Our streets have become impassable lakes, and homes have collapsed on their owners,” the mayor said, highlighting the extreme challenges facing the city’s residents. Emergency services are overwhelmed, struggling to reach isolated areas due to the flooded roads, further delaying rescue efforts and the delivery of much-needed aid.
Adding to the crisis, the entire city has been plunged into darkness. More than 10 electrical transformers were damaged during the storms, leaving the city’s power grid inoperable.
With communications disrupted and power outages persisting, residents have been left cut off from the outside world, and their ability to seek help or coordinate relief efforts has been severely hampered. Mayor Mohammed warned that unless assistance arrives quickly, the already dire situation could escalate further.
Sabha, a critical city in the Fezzan region of southern Libya, has long been neglected by national development programs, particularly since the civil war. Its infrastructure was already fragile before the flooding, having suffered from years of underinvestment and neglect.
