Balanced News: How climate change contributed to the staggering flood death toll in Libya

Catastrophic flooding in Libya caused by Storm Daniel has resulted in the deaths of at least 10,000 people and displaced over 30,000. The flooding destroyed a significant portion of the coastal city of Derna, with buildings washed out to sea. Climate change, particularly higher sea surface temperatures, can intensify storms like Daniel, known as “medicanes.” The storm’s path may have been influenced by atmospheric blocking, a rare weather phenomenon. The crumbling infrastructure in Derna, including the failure of two dams, also contributed to the devastation. The political situation in Libya further hindered recovery efforts.