Federal authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina have declared a state of emergency due to catastrophic floods, which, so far, have caused at least 20 deaths and significant material damage.
Federal authorities in Sarajevo have declared a state of emergency across the entire territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina after massive rainfall triggered floods and landslides in various parts of the country.
According to officials, so far, it has been confirmed that 20 people have lost their lives. However, authorities fear that this may not be the final death toll, as at least 25 other people are still missing, and there is no comprehensive information from across the country.
According to reports, the worst situation is in the municipality of Jablanica, where 18 of the 20 confirmed deaths were reported, as well as in Kiseljak—both along the course of the Neretva River.
Authorities have advised all residents living near this river to evacuate their homes, as there is a high risk that the Neretva will flood other parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina as well.
In addition to the Neretva, other rivers in Bosnia and Herzegovina have also started to flood, forcing authorities to close a large number of national and local roads.
The federal government in Sarajevo has requested assistance from neighboring countries, but it is unclear how much help can be provided, as flooding has also begun to affect other parts of the region.
Slovenia, Montenegro, and Croatia have reported that rivers and lakes in their countries have also begun to overflow, while Montenegrin officials stated that at least two villages near the Bosnian border are currently completely isolated due to the floods.
Meteorologists have warned that the danger may last for several more days, as river levels in Bosnia are expected to continue rising even after the rain stops.
