Benghazi – Large areas of Libya are expected to see moderate to heavy rainfall, with some regions facing very heavy rain in the next two days. Authorities warn of possible flooding in low-lying areas and overflowing valleys, according to Mohieddin Ramadan, head of the media office at the National Meteorological Center.
Rain clouds are forecast over the Nafusa Mountains and areas to the south, including Al-Arban, Bani Walid, Mizda, Tarhuna, Sirte and its southern parts, as well as Al-Hamada, Ghadames, and Wadi Al-Shatii. Rain is also expected in central regions such as Hun, Marada, Zella, Al-Fuqaha, and Al-Haruj, in addition to the Green Mountain and its southern areas, extending to Derna. Ramadan noted that coastal regions will be less affected, with intermittent rain likely continuing into early next week.
Sayed Deyfar, head of the Dams Department at the Ministry of Water Resources, told Al-Anba Al-Libiya newspaper that teams are monitoring water levels and volumes around the clock. He said some dams have begun receiving floodwaters, but the situation remains stable and the dams are safe and capable of absorbing the rainfall.
Deyfar added that all engineers and technicians in the Dams Department are on 24-hour alert to monitor the situation. Emergency dam openings could take place if water levels rise, but this would require an order from Water Resources Minister Mohamed Douma.
He urged residents not to cross valleys or water channels during flooding, and to avoid low-lying areas near dams and riverbeds. He also encouraged the public to follow updates from the Dams Department.
Regarding Derna, Deyfar said that the city’s dam supervisor has reported small amounts of water flowing downstream from the valley’s tributaries, but these do not currently pose a threat.