Bosnia and Herzegovina faces devastating floods

At least 14 people have died in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina due to flooding caused by heavy rains.

Several individuals are reported missing, and search operations are underway. The severe weather has caused damage to both road and rail infrastructure and disrupted mobile phone services, although landline phones remain operational. Residents in the towns of Jablanica and Kiseljak are currently without electricity, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

Major roads connecting Sarajevo to the Adriatic coast, particularly those passing through Jablanica, have been destroyed by landslides, with torrents of water sweeping away vehicles and livestock. Authorities have urged residents to move to higher floors of buildings to avoid the floodwaters. Heavy rains and strong winds are also affecting Croatia and Montenegro. A severe rainstorm struck Bosnia overnight October 4.  

Rescue services in the south of the country reported several people missing and called on volunteers and the army to assist as roads were closed and houses left without electricity.   Drone footage broadcast on Bosnian media showed villages and towns completely submerged under water, while videos on social networks showed dramatic scenes of muddy torrents and damaged roads.  

Authorities urged people to stay on upper floors. Reports said surging waters swept away domestic animals and cars as the water swiftly filled up the lower floors of buildings.   The heavy rains and strong winds were also reported in neighbouring Croatia where several roads were closed and the capital of Zagreb prepared for the swollen Sava River to burst its banks.  

Heavy winds have hampered traffic along the southern coast of the Adriatic, and flash floods caused by heavy rain threatened several towns and villages in Croatia.   Floods caused by torrential rains were also reported in Montenegro, south of Bosnia, where some villages were cut off and roads and homes flooded.

By Naila Huseynova