On Wednesday, a severe sandstorm swept through Benghazi, Libya’s major eastern city, casting the skies in a striking yellow hue and significantly disrupting life and transportation. The intense sandstorm resulted in poor visibility, complicating road travel and leading to vehicular difficulties as shown in various online videos.
In response to the deteriorating conditions, Derna, another city in eastern Libya, declared a state of alert. The heavy dust and strong winds also necessitated the temporary closure of airports in Benghazi and Tobruk, putting a halt to all regional air travel.
The storm’s impact extended to the closure of public offices and schools throughout eastern Libya, underlining the storm’s severity and the broad disruptions it caused to daily routines.
These sandstorms are increasingly common in North Africa and are being exacerbated by climate change, leading to more frequent and severe weather events across the region. This situation poses significant challenges, particularly for regions like Libya that are still recovering from prolonged periods of conflict and political instability.
Authorities are closely monitoring the evolving conditions and have urged residents to minimize outdoor activities until the storm subsides. This event highlights the need for enhanced preparedness and infrastructure resilience to better withstand such natural disturbances in the future.
On Sunday, Fathi Al-Karimi, head of the National Safety Authority in Derna, announced a high state of emergency in response to the expected adverse weather conditions. The emergency measures include the deployment of firefighting vehicles across strategic locations, particularly in regions prone to wildfires, such as Ain Mara and Karsa, to effectively manage any fires and reduce potential damage.
For those with sinus issues, Dr. Fahmi Basheer, an ENT specialist at Al-Hawari Specialist Hospital advised using seawater nasal sprays before and after exposure and taking antihistamines to alleviate congestion and irritation. Asthma patients should adhere to regular inhaler use, monitor symptoms closely, avoid other allergens, and consult their doctor for an emergency medical plan tailored to sandstorm conditions.
