At least two people have lost their lives, and 40 others were injured following torrential rains in the southern Libyan city of Sebha, local authorities reported on Sunday. “Homes have been submerged in floodwater and sewage,” said Mayor Belhaj Ali, describing the situation as “catastrophic.”
Sebha, which is governed by the East Libya-based administration under Osama Hammad, has been severely impacted by the flooding.
The Sebha Municipal Council has urged all residents to adhere to safety guidelines in order to prevent further casualties or damage.
On Saturday, the National Weather Centre issued a warning for severe thunderstorms and heavy rain over the weekend in southern Libya, cautioning that the weather could trigger river flooding and significant water flows.
Libya remains divided between two rival governments. The UN-recognised Government of National Unity (GNU), led by Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, governs the western region from Tripoli, while the eastern government, led by Osama Hammad and appointed by the Libyan parliament, operates from Benghazi and controls the east and parts of the south, including Sebha.
Ongoing efforts by the United Nations to organise parliamentary and presidential elections have faced repeated delays, prolonging the country’s political impasse and worsening the security situation in the oil-rich state.
