Libya’s National Safety Authority (NSA) has proclaimed a maximum state of emergency across all of its branches, following the National Meteorological Center’s warnings of potential flood occurrences in the southern region of the country.
In a statement issued by the NSA, the declaration of the emergency state comes as a precautionary measure against any exigencies that might arise from the anticipated floods in the southern region, especially in the municipality of Ghat and its surroundings.
The Meteorological Center predicts that the south-western regions of Libya will be affected by thunderstorm cells in the coming days, accompanied by periodic rainfall, which might sometimes be moderate to heavy, particularly affecting “Ghat and its neighbors, Al-Jufra, Hun, Al-Fuqaha, Al-Haruj, Sabha and its environs, Brak, Murzuq, and Al-Qatrun.”
Earlier, the Ambulance and Emergency Services declared a maximum emergency state in all its southern region branches with the aim of supporting its branches in the municipalities of Ghat, Al-Barkat, Tihala, Al-Owinat, Issin, and Fyut, offering all emergency and urgent services in the fields of ambulance and evacuation if required.
Abdel Hamid Al-Dabaiba, the Prime Minister of the provisional Government of National Unity, issued directives concerning the adoption of precautionary measures to prevent any human or material damage in Ghat and southern Libya.
Dabaiba’s instructions included coordinating with the Ministry of Interior to evacuate residents of areas close to or adjacent to the valleys to prevent any human damage.
Livestock owners are alerted to vacate the paths of the valleys, and municipalities are tasked with cleaning the expected riverbeds of any debris or obstacles that may hinder the flow of water.