SANTA MONICA, Calif. – The death toll has surpassed 5,000 and at least 10,000 people are still missing after historic rains and flooding of biblical proportions caused two separate dams to collapse.
Daniel, the storm that pounded the Mediterranean and the Northern Africa country began more than eight days ago and unleashed rainfall that caused flooding and fatalities in Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey before unleashing its’ destruction on Libya.
Libya was hit particularly hard by the storm. Libya’s National Meteorological Center said that approximately 16.3 inches of rain fell from Sunday to Monday, reported Associated Press.
The heavy rainfall was only one factor in the destruction. Libya is a divided country. The country is governed by the Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeiba who is located in Tripoli. However, there are many different factions who combine power and military might to organize skirmishes with the internationally recognized government in Tripoli.
After years of conflict, the infrastructure of the country is in need of repair. When the water came roaring down streets and hillsides, the flimsily built houses were swept away. Illegal construction, deforestation, and corruption combined with the torrential rainfall are some of the reasons the death toll and destruction as so severe.
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