Severe floods and landslides claim at least 22 lives in Bosnia and Herzegovina
A devastating rainstorm struck Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday, October 4, 2024, triggering massive floods and landslides that caused widespread destruction, cut off villages, and claimed at least 18 lives in the central and southern regions of the country. Dozens of people are still missing and the death toll is expected to keep rising.
Severe flood damage in Jablanica, Bosnia and Herzegovina on October 4, 2024. Image credit: Bljesak.Info (stillshot)
A severe rainstorm struck Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday night, causing massive flash floods and landslides across the region, which have claimed approximately 18 lives in central and southern parts of the country. Local authorities described the floods as ‘biblical.’
Most of the fatalities were reported in the Jablanica region, which was completely cut off after floods and landslides destroyed roads and railway tracks.
Several people are missing, and search and rescue operations are ongoing. The government of the Bosniak-Croat Federation has declared a state of natural disaster in the flood-affected areas and established a crisis committee to manage the situation.
Visuals shared online show widespread floods that have submerged homes, streets, and parks across the region.
Rescuers were unable to reach several villages due to blocked roads, according to Aldin Basnjic, head of the Civil Defence administration in the Bosniak-Croat Federation. He noted that impending rains would complicate rescue efforts further.
The main M-17 route, running alongside the Neretva River, was covered in debris near Jablanica. A 17 km (11 miles) section of railway between Ostrozac and Grabovica to the west was heavily damaged. A 200 m (656 feet) stretch of track was left hanging in the air by a landslide near the river, south of Jablanica.
Local authorities in Herzegovina-Neretva Canton warned drivers to avoid dangerous roads in the Jablanica area.
Kiseljak, located around 20 km (12.4 miles) west of Sarajevo, bore the brunt of the rainstorm and flooding after a river burst its banks. According to the mayor, the rain began at 21:00 local time (LT) on Thursday, October 3, and continued through the night. By 05:00 LT, floods had inundated several homes, which the mayor described as “biblical.”
The flooding also affected Montenegro, where roads were washed away, cutting off the village of Komarnica. Rising water levels were reported in several Croatian rivers. According to the government in Zagreb, there was a risk of flooding in parts of Karlovac near the Kupa River.
Updates
18:39 UTC, October 9
At least 22 people have been reported dead due to floods in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and at least 10 people are still missing.
Most of the missing people are from the village of Donja, Jablanica, in southern Bosnia, which was almost completely buried by rock and rubble after a quarry collapsed on a hill above the village. The towns of Kojic and Jablanica have been the worst affected by the floods.
Damage estimates are still in the early stages, with search and rescue missions ongoing for survivors.
Neighboring countries, including Croatia and others from the EU, are aiding in the relief efforts.
“Daily losses from the decline in cargo and passenger transportation revenues amount to 280 000 Bosnian marka (approximately $157 000),” said Samir Kadric, a spokesman for the regional railway company Zeljeznice Federacije BiH.
“It is quite certain that the damage caused by this disaster will amount to tens of millions of marks,” Kadric said, adding that the company will begin repairing the tracks next week. Voting for the upcoming elections on October 13 has been postponed in the flood-affected regions.
References:
1 Floods and landslides leave 18 dead in Bosnia – BBC -October 4, 2024
2 Death toll in worst Bosnian floods in years rises to 16, officials say – Reuters – October 4, 2024
3 Bosnia floods kill 14 people – France 24 – October 4, 2024
4 Rainstorms and heavy floods hit large parts of Bosnia, killing at least 16 people – AP – October 4, 2024
5 At least 22 people dead in devastating floods in Bosnia – Reuters – October 8, 2024
6 International rescue teams arrive in Bosnia after devastating floods and landslides – AP – October 7, 2024
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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