Libya has declared a state of emergency in areas of southern Libya due to a wave of bad weather accompanied by heavy rains.

The Sebha Medical Centre in southern Libya said the state of emergency would begin on Thursday and last until the wave of bad weather ends.Earlier, the National Meteorological Centre said thunderstorms were occasionally forming in the southwest, especially in border areas near Chad, Niger and Algeria, including the Tibesti mountains, Qatroun and its south, Ghat, the Harouj mountains, Murzuq and Ubari.

The National Meteorological Centre is expecting rainfall in some of these areas, which could cause local valleys to flood, and is urging citizens to take precautions and exercise caution.

Last September, Libya was hit by Hurricane Daniel, which killed at least 4,000 people.