Assessment of the Libya flood based on high spatial night-time light data from SDGSAT-1

This report provides an assessment of the impact of the catastrophic flooding in Derna, Libya, based on high spatial nighttime light data from SDGSAT-1. The report covers various aspects such as the average radiance of the city, changed areas, affected buildings, and population impacts and underscores the ongoing recovery efforts and the need for continuous observation to fully assess the power recovery in Derna.

The Libya flooding of 2023 was a catastrophic flooding that struck eastern Libya on September 10 and 11, 2023. More than 4,000 people were killed and some 10,000 were missing after heavy rains generated by Storm Daniel (a strong Mediterranean cyclone) drenched the area and brought flooding to the region. About 25 per cent of the Libyan port city of Derna was destroyed by a massive torrent of water and mud after two dams located upstream from the city collapsed from pressure brought on by the heavy rains.

The report was a product of IRDR Pilot Study on SDGSAT-1 data products and service for Disaster Risk Reduction (IRDRPS202302).