At least 16 people have died and many others are missing in Bosnia and Herzegovina following severe floods caused by torrential rains and landslides, officials reported on Friday. The municipality of Jablanica, located approximately 70 km southwest of Sarajevo, has been isolated due to destroyed road and rail connections. Ljudevit Maric, a spokesperson for the cantonal interior ministry, stated that most fatalities occurred in the Jablanica area, and search efforts for missing persons are ongoing. Bosnia’s Civil Defense noted that between 20 and 40 people remain unaccounted for, potentially trapped or swept away by flooding.
Bosnia’s inter-ethnic presidency has requested military assistance, deploying rescue teams and helicopters, including missions to save 17 people from a mental hospital. Edin Forto, the Bosniak-Croat Federation’s transportation minister, described the situation as critical, remarking on the destruction of entire homes and infrastructures. This disaster is considered the worst flooding in Bosnia since 2014, when over 20 people died.
An emergency government session led to funds being allocated for recovery, and a state of natural disaster was declared in affected areas. Neighboring Croatia and Serbia have offered assistance in rescue operations. Aldin Brasnjic, Civil Defense head for the Bosniak-Croat federation, expressed concern over ongoing challenges in accessing remote villages due to blocked roads and predicted further difficulties due to upcoming rains.
Floodwaters have devastated several towns, including Kiseljak, following a river overflow. As a result, Bosnia’s election commission postponed elections in flood-hit municipalities. The floods follow Europe-wide droughts impacting agriculture and water supplies. Experts attribute these extreme weather variations to climate change, while neighboring countries such as Croatia, Montenegro, and Serbia issued severe weather warnings.
Original Story https://www.livemint.com/news/death-toll-in-worst-bo-11728069052639.html
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