This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (October 2024) |
Date | 3 October 2024 | – ongoing
---|---|
Location | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
Deaths | 21+ |
Missing | "many" |
On the night of 3–4 October 2024, southern Bosnia and Herzegovina was struck by floods caused by an atmospheric river produced over the Adriatic Sea. Over the course of the night, several towns in central Bosnia and Herzegovina were flooded. A number of towns were rendered inaccessible along with surrounding villages, as roads, bridges, and railways were blocked by flood waters and landslides.[1][2][3]
As of 4 October, 19 fatalities have been confirmed by rescue teams in the Jablanica area.[4] Reportedly, houses collapsed in flash floods while residents were inside.[5] A spokesman for the Herzegovina–Neretva cantonal government called it the worst crisis in the canton since the Bosnian War, asking citizens not to travel to Jablanica and Konjic.[4] Kiseljak, Kreševo and Fojnica in Central Bosnia were also cut off by flood waters,[5] while landslides still threaten to cut off villages such as Vranići and Kojsina.[2] Many villages between Fojnica and Kiseljak were rendered inaccessible.[6] In some places, including Gunjani near Kreševo, the night-time flood destroyed bridges.[3] In Ostrožac, a slide destroyed the railway. Residents of Gojevići near Fojnica reported "scenes reminiscent of disaster films",[2] making narrow escapes from flash floods.[2] In Donja Jablanica, some buildings were completely buried by landslides brought on by flash floods. The minaret and dome were the only visible part of the local mosque.[7]
The Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina announced 14 deaths in Jablanica and one in Fojnica in a special press conference; "numerous"[8] other missing persons were reported by their families. The Sarajevo–Mostar magistral road was closed due to flood damage.[8] The Ministry of Defence deployed helicopters and one EUFOR helicopter was confirmed to have rescued a child amid the debris left by the flood in Jablanica. The Federal Civil Protection Agency is coordinating the rescue efforts.[2] Sarajevo Canton police blocked traffic to Herzegovina–Neretva Canton[9] and the BIHAMK automobile association advised travellers from northern Bosnia to Herzegovina to detour around affected areas.[5] The country's Central Election Commission announced that the 2024 municipal elections will proceed as planned on 6 October. Many political parties cancelled their election rallies due to the floods.[10]
There was comparatively minor flooding in neighbouring Croatia, where flash flood warnings were issued for 3–4 October.[11] Gračac and Krk broke their all-time records for daily rainfall, at 249.1 and 192 mm (9.81 and 7.56 in), respectively.[12] Rivers Sava, Kupa and Odra were on the rise due to rainfall. Localised flooding was reported in Ogulin, but river levels were still expected to rise in Karlovac on mid-day of 4 October.[13]
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