On 14 August, the Ambulance and Emergency Department declared an emergency for all its services in the south of Libya (Fezzan and Kufra) due to impending heavy rainfall. The following day, heavy rains in the southern border area between Libya and Algeria led to widespread flooding. In Ghat, the power grid collapsed and communication links (except for SATCOM) failed.
On 16 August, Tahala, which was particularly badly affected, was declared a disaster area by the city administration. The power supply failed across the board. Large parts of the city are under water. Several houses were washed away. The spokesperson of the Ghat Emergency Room Hassan Othman Issa has denied that there have been any deaths due to the floods. The Ambulance and Emergency Department had previously reported that three children had died.
The mayor of al-Birkah announced that 4,000 people had lost their homes, while IOM said the floods have displaced over 5,800 people in and around Ghat. There are still problems with the power supply and telecommunications. More help is urgently needed from the government agencies, especially temporary shelters, medical care, food and money.
The Libyan National Army (LNA) transported relief supplies to the affected region. Forces on the ground have been deployed to help with stabilization and clean-up efforts. The LNA’s Tariq Bin Ziyad Brigade has begun clearing and repairing roads and evacuating trapped people. Its main area of operation is the Takala region. The deployment of additional troops to the disaster area, especially to Takala, began during the night of 15-16 August.
On 16 August, Prime Minister Abdul Hameed Dabaiba ordered GECOL, Libyan Telecommunications Holding Company (LPTIC) and several other companies to send repair teams to the disaster area. Dabaiba also formed an Emergency Committee under Minister of Local Government al-Din al-Sadiq al-Toumi to monitor the situation and coordinate relief efforts. Brega Petroleum Marketing Company has also been tasked by the PM to send a convoy of fuel and cooking gas to the flooded areas in the southwest. The Ministry of Health has informed that the first aid convoys were already on their way this morning.
Government of National Stability (GNS) Prime Minister Osama Hammad also formed an Emergency & Rapid Response Committee, headed by his Deputy PM Salem al-Zadma (who is from the Fezzan) and including several ministers. On 17 August, al-Zadma visited the most affected cities in the disaster area, including Tahala, Al Awinat and Ghat. He also held meetings with the respective mayors about the local situation and the need for assistance.
The Libyan Red Crescent has dispatched large relief supplies and the Red Crescent Emergency & Disaster Response Team to the disaster area in Fezzan. UNICEF, in cooperation with the Libyan Red Crescent, has sent a relief shipment of food and hygiene items to the residents of Tahala and Ghat municipalities. The General Water and Sanitation Company has sent drinking water and relief teams to Tahala and al-Awinat who have started pumping water from the residential areas.