Storm Daniel, the result of a very low pressure system which developed into a tropical-like cyclone known as a medicane, battered Libya with torrential rain on the 10th September 2023 unleashing catastrophic floods in the north-eastern cities.

The eastern city of Derna, which has a population of 100,000, has reported 4000 fatalities and over 10,000 still missing. More than 50,000 remain displaced. Libya's health minister has described the city as a 'ghost town' while speaking to local news channels. The UN says that the death toll in total stands at 11,300 however the final number remains unclear due to the large number of missing persons, the fact that communications were down for a period of time and the administration continuing to be inhibited by the battle of two rival governments for power.

The high number of affected people is due to two ageing dams collapsing caused by the pressure of the heavy rainfall which resulted in a 7 metre tall wave made up of 8 billion gallons of water crashing down onto the city of Derna. It is expected that a large amount of missing people were swept out to sea because of this.

Houses and other infrastructure, including three bridges, roads and phone lines, were severely damaged and initially there was no electricity in the area. The heavy destruction impeded search and rescue efforts making it difficult to reach those who were most vulnerable.

The head of Libya's Emergency and Ambulance authority said that authorities did not anticipate the scale of the catastrophic disaster hence why there was no evacuation of towns and villages in the path of the storm. The United Arab Emirates rushed aid and rescue teams to the region while other countries such as Turkey, France and the US also offered assistance.

The weather system later moved towards northern Egypt. Scientists stated that climate change made the extreme rainfall up to 50 times more likely to happen and 50% more intense when it did.

A critical warning has been issued as the floods may have uncovered unexploded mines and other weaponry left behind from the country's war. On top of this, the risk of water contamination and the spread of waterbourne diseases is high.

Related News and Resources

• UNOSAT 'Storm Daniel in Libya' Webmap