The United Nations highlighted that the loss of life in Libya’s recent flood disaster could have been significantly reduced if the country had a better-functioning early warning and emergency management system. The UN’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO) emphasized that similar dangerous deficiencies exist in early warning systems in other conflict-hit countries. The flash flood in eastern Libya was extremely devastating, with thousands of casualties and missing individuals. The lack of weather forecasting, dissemination of warnings, and efficient disaster management were significant contributors to the scale of the disaster.
According to WMO Chief Petteri Taalas, the meteorological observing network in Libya has been destroyed due to the years-long internal conflict and political crisis. He also mentioned that the IT systems necessary for proper forecasting were also destroyed. Without appropriate early warning systems in place, the emergency management forces were unable to carry out effective evacuations and prevent most of the human casualties. Taalas referred to the flooding events and the absence of timely evacuation due to the lack of proper early warning systems.
While the Libya National Meteorological Centre issued early warnings for the extreme weather conditions 72 hours in advance and informed governmental authorities through email, it is unclear whether the warnings were effectively disseminated. Previously, there was close cooperation between meteorological services and disaster management in the country. However, this collaboration has deteriorated over time due to the ongoing conflict. Although a curfew was imposed in various eastern towns, including Derna, which prevented people from leaving their homes, no official evacuation orders were issued. The failure of two dams resulted in an unprecedented situation, and the absence of disaster management in Libya was evident.
WMO’s warning about dangerous early warning deficiencies extends beyond Libya. Sudan, which has been ravaged by five months of fighting, is facing similar challenges. The head of Sudan’s meteorological service informed WMO that most of the staff has left and they are no longer capable of forecasting high-impact weather events. Ukraine, which has been a target of Russia’s invasion, is also struggling with destroyed weather stations and limited data access. This situation could have a dangerous impact on the country’s services.
The UN’s statement serves as a reminder of the critical importance of early warning systems in saving lives during disasters. Adequate investment, coordination, and infrastructure are necessary to ensure the effectiveness of these systems in conflict-affected regions. Improving weather forecasting, disseminating warnings efficiently, and strengthening disaster management capabilities are crucial steps towards mitigating the impact of natural disasters and protecting vulnerable populations.
