Two weeks ago, Bosnia, Serbia, and some parts of Croatia saw rainfall of nigh-Biblical proportions, falling continuously for four days–– the equivalence of nearly three month’s worth of rainfall. This is the largest amount of rainfall seen in the region’s 120-year records.
Even after the rains ceased, water levels of the Sava, Tamnava, and numerous other rivers continued to rise. Their banks eventually burst, resulting in massive flooding throughout the Balkan Peninsula. No less than forty-four people have been killed as a result of these floodings, including the more than 2000 reported landslides in the afflicted regions. Over 100 000 homes, as well as 230 schools and hospitals have been destroyed, and nearly one million people are without access to clean drinking water. The number of residents evacuated from their homes is estimated around 32 000.
While the state of emergency has since been lifted in Serbia as the Sava and the Tamnava rivers steadily recede, the Balkan regions have more than just multi-million dollar damages to worry about. The flooding and landslides have uncovered over 100 000 land mines that have remained in the area from past wars, being washed away to new, unmarked locations. The United States has dispatched disposal experts to help with their removal, as up to 70% of the flooded area is thought to be in risk of containing land mines.
In addition, the governments have worries concerning disease outbreak due to contaminated drinking water, as well as the countless dead animal carcasses that float in the receding waters, which often decay beyond recognition before they can be incinerated. There have also been reports of criminals taking advantage of the tragedy, heading out in boats to raid the unoccupied houses of citizens during their displacement.
Fortunately, according to National Crisis Management, there is no present danger of re-flooding.
Following delayed reporting on the disaster, much criticism has been directed towards mainstream western media. For most large news agencies, first reports of the flooding did not appear until three days after it began.
There is also much criticism towards Serbia, Bosnia, and other Balkan states in their lack of maintenance and development of embankments and dams to prevent such disasters. Only the Serbian government showed plans for such infrastructure, proposing to build 34 dams whilst still a part of Yugoslavia. However, at present only five of these 34 have been built.
Proper estimates of the national expenses for the entire disaster are expected to be made within the next ten days.
Leave a Reply