The devastating floods in Derna, Libya, resulted in thousands of deaths and missing persons, affecting a city already marred by civil war, corruption, and neglect. Experts and survivors say the disaster wasn’t merely a natural calamity but exacerbated by years of institutional decay. Protests have erupted against local authorities, intensifying public anger over a disaster that many believe could have been mitigated. The floods serve as a grim testament to the state of a fractured nation grappling with deteriorating infrastructure and governance challenges.
  

Key Points: 

1. Two upstream dams, Abu Mansour and Derna, that were meant to protect the city’s nearly 90,000 residents, failed to contain the floodwaters, leading to widespread devastation.
2. A research paper published last year had already warned of a high potential for flood risk in Derna, citing a lack of dam maintenance and previous incidents, but little to no preventive action was taken by the authorities.
3. Fury against local officials has led to protests and the torching of Derna’s ousted mayor’s home. Citizens are calling for accountability from their leaders, accusing them of negligence and corruption.
4. The disaster highlights the fragmented state of Libya’s disaster management and response mechanisms. Analysts say this is a symptom of deeper governance issues, including corruption and a lack of coordinated public infrastructure planning.
5. The catastrophe is likely to have long-term implications for a city and country already plagued by civil strife and institutional breakdown, further complicating international aid and recovery efforts.

Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/libya-flood-explained-conflict-corruption-climate-change-derna-dams-rcna105219