What caused the catastrophic flooding in Derna, Libya, in September 2023?

The disaster was primarily triggered by the collapse of two dams - Abu Mansour and Derna - following extreme rainfall from Storm Daniel. The storm brought torrential rains, with some areas receiving up to 240 mm of rain in 24 hours, overwhelming the dams' capacity and leading to their failure

How many people were affected by the dam failures in Derna?

The flooding caused by the dam collapses resulted in over 7,800 deaths and left thousands missing. The disaster also displaced approximately 34,000 people and caused damages equivalent to 3.6% of Libya's GDP, totaling an estimated US$1.65 billion

What were the main factors contributing to the dam failures?

Key factors included outdated dam designs based on limited hydrological data, lack of maintenance due to prolonged conflict, and inadequate governance. The dams were constructed on ephemeral wadi systems with highly variable flow, and their spillways reached saturation quickly during the extreme rainfall

What actions have been taken to address the dam safety issues?

Following the disaster, a collaborative assessment by ICOLD, UNESCO, and the World Bank identified several actions to enhance dam safety, including: Conducting detailed assessments of the 2023 flood event and dam failures; Improving flood forecasting and early warning systems; Developing a regulatory framework for dam safety assurance; Launching a national dam safety program

What were the legal consequences for officials following the dam failures?

In July 2024, a Libyan court sentenced 12 officials responsible for managing the dams to prison terms ranging from 9 to 27 years. They were convicted on charges of negligence, premeditated murder, and wasting public funds

Analysis

Supporting women, strengthening hydro

The hydro industry has improved significantly, but there is still important work to do to ensure women feel supported, included, and empowered to grow into leadership roles, says Kelly Schaeffer, Principal Consultant at Kleinschmidt Associates in the US, and Founding Member and Co-Chair of the Steering Committee of the Women in Hydropower Mentorship Programme. Speaking with IWP&DC, she gives an insight into what it means to be a woman in hydro.

Carrieann Stocks