The Libyan government has placed emergency services on high alert as large parts of eastern Libya are expected to experience unstable weather conditions from midday Monday through Tuesday, according to the National Center of Meteorology.
Forecasts indicate varying levels of rainfall, accompanied by strong winds that may reduce horizontal visibility and trigger dust and sand storms in several areas.
In response, the government headed by Prime Minister Osama Hammad instructed the Emergency and Rapid Response Committee, along with all relevant security and service agencies, to raise their preparedness to the highest level and implement all precautionary measures to deal with any potential emergencies, in order to protect lives and public and private property.
The Eastern Region Meteorological Monitoring Office warned of the risk of flash floods and valley runoff, particularly along the southern and northern slopes of the Green Mountain (Jabal Al-Akhdar), as well as in areas stretching from Benghazi to Al-Bayda. The office noted the possibility that some drainage channels could become blocked due to the expected heavy rainfall.
Authorities also stressed the need to secure main roads and vital facilities, with the National Safety Authority instructed to prepare for possible water accumulation in streets and low-lying areas, and to strengthen the field presence of emergency teams to respond rapidly to any incidents.
Following directives from Libya’s Minister of Water Resources, Mohamed Douma, the Ministry of Water Resources announced that all dam administrations have been placed on maximum alert. Engineers and technical supervisors have been instructed to remain on duty around the clock to monitor the structural safety of dams and ensure the integrity of water facilities during the period of adverse weather.
In closing, the ministry and the Emergency Committee urged citizens to avoid valleys, dams, and low-lying regions located along water flow paths, and to strictly follow official safety instructions, warning that failure to comply could put lives at serious risk as weather conditions deteriorate.
