Bosnia and Herzegovina has declared a state of emergency in its western region due to rising river water levels following heavy rainfall over the past several days. Floods have caused rivers to overflow their banks across most of the country.
In the municipality of Kostajnica, located in the western part of the country, water levels in the Una River surpassed 450 centimeters, triggering the emergency declaration.
Flooding in Prijedor and Other Areas
Authorities also declared a state of emergency in Prijedor, a city in the northern part of the country, as a preventive measure to protect against flooding. According to reports from the Radio Television of the Republic of Srpska, around 350 buildings, both residential and auxiliary, were affected by the floods overnight.
Other affected areas include Laktasi, Gradiska, and Celinac, where rising water levels of rivers have prompted emergency measures. While the water levels of the Ukrina River in Derventa have slightly decreased, flood protection measures remain in place.
Impact in Northern and Northwestern Bosnia
The situation is particularly severe in the northern and northwestern regions of the country, where several major roads have been closed due to flooding. Schools in these areas have suspended lessons as a precaution.
Recent Flooding and Historical Context
Bosnia is no stranger to devastating floods. In October 2024, the country experienced deadly floods that claimed the lives of 27 people. Intense rainstorms and strong winds wreaked havoc on southern and central Bosnia, destroying homes, roads, and disrupting power supply while isolating several villages.
