Severe weather conditions in Bosnia have led to catastrophic flash floods and landslides, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 16 lives and injuring dozens more.
The heavy rainfall, which began early Friday, inundated the central town of Jablanica, where rescue teams are currently searching for survivors among the debris.
Construction crews are tirelessly working to clear piles of rocks and mud that have overwhelmed Jablanica and nearby Konjic.
The torrential downpours struck suddenly, catching residents off guard as many were asleep in their homes when the floodwaters surged.
An aerial view from October 5 reveals the extensive damage caused by landslides in the area, with entire villages buried under mud and debris.
Reports indicate that rocks from a nearby quarry have collapsed onto the village of Donja Jablanica, tragically burying several homes.
Severe rainfall causes destruction, cutting off villages and claiming at least 16 lives.Resident Alka Gusic shared her harrowing experience, recalling the terrifying rumble that woke her, initially mistaking it for an earthquake. She tragically lost her brother and his family, and her son remains hospitalized.
The flooding has devastated infrastructure, with roads and bridges destroyed and entire villages cut off.
Husein Hodzic from the local civil protection unit stated, “Kilometres of roads no longer exist, nearly all bridges have been destroyed,” leaving residents without electricity or phone communication.
Authorities have decided to postpone local elections scheduled for Sunday in the flood-affected areas as recovery efforts continue.
This extreme weather event is attributed to human-caused climate change, which has intensified rainfall patterns.
The Balkans also faced record temperatures this summer, resulting in drought conditions that further exacerbated the flooding’s impact.
While Croatia and Montenegro experienced some flooding in recent days, the damage was significantly less severe, with no reported fatalities.
Rescue operations are ongoing as communities work to recover from this devastating natural disaster.