The majority of fatalities, according to UN experts, could have been prevented if there had been a regularly running meteorological service. 11,300 people have died as a result of the terrible flooding in Libya that was brought on by the breaching of two dams in the coastal city of Derna, and authorities are estimating that another 10,000 people are still missing.
Derna’s previous death toll was estimated at 5,500. Before the two dams outside the city fell as a result of a period of severe rains, residents of the city heard huge explosions on Sunday night, September 10.
The city was quickly submerged by the floodwaters as they rushed past houses, people, and nearly everything else in their path to the sea. Many fatalities may have been prevented.
The majority of fatalities, according to UN experts, could have been prevented if there had been a regularly running meteorological service. Petteri Taalas, the chairman of the World Meteorological Organization, told reporters in Geneva that if there had been a regularly operational meteorological service, they could have provided the warnings. The evacuation might have been handled by the emergency management authorities, he continued.
Prior to the catastrophe, the WMO claimed to have sent out warnings 72 hours in advance and to have warned all countries by email and the media.
Officials in eastern Libya issued similar storm warnings and suggested that residents leave the shoreline area since a sea surge was anticipated. However, there were no alerts given on the possibility of the dams collapsing.
Mass graves being used to bury the dead
Othman Abduljaleel, the health minister for eastern Libya, claimed on Thursday, September 14, that the government was burying corpses in large graves.
More than 3,000 bodies had been interred by Thursday, and another 2,000 were still being handled. While some were being transported to towns and cities nearby, the majority of the dead were buried outside of Derna.
Death toll will rise
As more remains are reportedly believed to be buried beneath the debris and muck, the death toll is anticipated to rise.
Rescuers have been bringing in large apparatus and equipment as they work to evacuate the area.
According to locals, there were much more fatalities than had been reported by the police, according to Associated Press quotes.
Given the scope and seriousness of the situation, the death toll could perhaps reach 20,000, according to Derna Mayor Abdel-Moneim al-Ghaithi.
