Torrential rains have caused severe flooding in western Libya, cutting electricity and water supplies while leaving residents trapped in mudflows.
Several towns were affected overnight on Friday as heavy rainfall caused wadis to overflow and damaged roads and electricity infrastructure.
Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah ordered authorities to immediately mobilise resources in the affected areas, according to his office.
Authorities had not confirmed any deaths at the time of reporting.
Western Libya flooding cuts power
The town of Mizda, south of Tripoli, was among the areas affected by the flooding.
Mizda has fewer than 30,000 residents and lies in a semi-desert region where heavy rainfall is uncommon.
Municipal spokesman Omar Kachaka told local television, according to AFP, that numerous electricity poles had fallen.
As a result, the town suffered a widespread power outage.
Kachaka said the severe weather had also caused other damage and landslides.
Rescue teams respond to Libya floods
Emergency teams were also deployed in Bani Walid, around 170 kilometres south of Tripoli.
According to AFP, rescuers worked to free residents trapped inside vehicles that had been swept away by mudflows.
Meanwhile, Nasmah, about 150 kilometres south of the capital, was also badly affected.
Nasmah Mayor Ahmed al-Sid declared the municipality a disaster zone because of extensive damage caused by the rainfall and overflowing wadis, AFP reported.
Dbeibah orders rapid response
Dbeibah said he was closely monitoring the flooding.
He ordered authorities to clear blocked roads and restore essential services.
The response includes efforts to restore electricity, drinking water and telecommunications in affected communities.
Images and videos circulating on social media showed vehicles caught in floodwaters and people attempting to escape the mudflows, according to Africanews.
However, the full extent of the damage was still being assessed.
Authorities had not reported any confirmed fatalities as emergency operations continued across western Libya.