Torrential rains caused severe flooding across several towns in western Libya overnight, cutting electricity, running water and trapping residents in torrents of mud.
Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah ordered authorities to immediately mobilize resources in affected areas,
In Mizda, a town of fewer than 30,000 people in a semi-desert area south of Tripoli where heavy rainfall is uncommon, the floods caused a widespread power outage after numerous electricity poles fell, as well as other damage and landslides.
Rescue teams in the Bani Walid area, south of Tripoli, worked to free residents trapped in vehicles swept away by the mudflows. Ahmed al-Sid, mayor of Nasmah town, declared the municipality a disaster zone because of extensive damage caused by the rain and overflowing wadis.
Authorities have not confirmed any deaths as at the time of filing this report.
