Heavy rain floods Tripoli

Heavy rain flooded roads, homes and shops in Tripoli on 13 October, Reuters reported, citing Libyan authorities and a local television channel. The head of Tripoli's central municipality, Fadel Abu Arqoub, said the rain lasted about two and a half hours, and the electricity company cut power to some areas as a precaution after water reached homes. Reports gave different death tolls: one (Libyan News Agency, via QNA), two (Reuters) and at least three (AFP). Libya Herald put rainfall at about 152 mm in a day, against an October average of 25 to 42 mm, without naming its source. On 15 October the Tripoli-based government's housing minister, Issam al-Tamouni, said some roads did not meet the required standards and promised a technical investigation.

Why it matters. Libya Herald said the volume of rain in a short time tested the drainage system, and that drains blocked by rubbish made the flooding worse.