Libya’s Ambulance and Emergency Services reported the successful evacuation of 10 individuals trapped in the Al-Shahid Atiyah Al-Kasih Hospital in Kufra, following severe flooding caused by heavy rains.
In a statement released on Sunday, the department confirmed that a team was promptly dispatched to the hospital, which had been inundated by the downpour that struck the city earlier in the evening.
The Libyan National Meteorological Center announced that the rainfall in Kufra was the heaviest recorded since 1952. According to the center’s Facebook post, “The rainfall in Kufra within just one hour reached 46 millimeters, marking the highest amount since 1952.”
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations.
Libya’s economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to oil production and prices fluctuations, impacting the global oil market and Libya’s economy.
The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions.
The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition.
Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges.
