The worst floods to hit the Balkans in more than a century have killed at least 25 people, and there are fears that number could rise further as water recedes from deluged towns and cities.
Tens of thousands have fled their homes in Bosnia and Serbia after three months of rain fell on the region in just three days.
Hundreds have also been evacuated in Croatia.
Boats and helicopters have been used to evacuate those affected by floodwaters, which reached the second floor of homes in some parts of Bosnia, where 17 have died.
People receive food in the flooded town of Obrenovac Security Ministry spokesman Admir Malagic said approximately a million people, more than a quarter of the population, live in the affected area.
Bakir Izetbegovic, chairman of Bosnia's three-man presidency, said the country was facing a "horrible catastrophe".
In the eastern town of Bijeljina, around 100,000 people were evacuated on Saturday after flood defences were unable to hold back the rain-swollen Sava River.
Mayor Mico Micic said: "We need everything, we are under water."
Boats and helicopters are being used to rescue people The rain has also caused almost 300 landslides, burying dozens of houses and cars.
Many have lost homes they have only just finished rebuilding after the 1992-95 war which killed 100,000 people and devastated the country.
Mines from that conflict litter Bosnia's mountains, and many warning signs have been swept away, increasing the risk of deadly accidents.
More than 15,000 people have been evacuated in Serbia, where eight people have died.
Many people have lost homes rebuilt after the 1992-95 war Most of those who have fled their homes have found shelter in schools and sports halls.
Soldiers and emergency crews are using boats and helicopters to rescue thousands of people trapped in the town of Obrenovac, near the capital, Belgrade.
The flooding there is threatening the country's biggest power plant, Nikola Tesla.
Capacity at the plant has already been cut after a coal mine nearby was submerged.
A man peers over at the high level of the Sava river in Sremska Mitrovica Residents of the nearby town of Baric have also been ordered to leave immediately, with many leaving on buses and military trucks.
There was a slight respite for some parts of the country on Saturday when the rain eased, but Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic warned a new flood wave on the Sava will hit on Sunday evening.
"Our primary concern is to protect the power plant," he said.
"We are doing all we can."
Thousands of volunteers have been bused in from all over the country after responding to a government appeal to help build flood defences along the river.
People build a dam of sandbags by the Sava river Residents have used social media to help collect food, blankets and clothes for crisis-hit areas.
Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic has appealed for people to help. He wrote on his Twitter account: "Support for everyone! Let's help the endangered! Join the aid action!"
Both countries have appealed for international help and many European Union countries have sent equipment and emergency crews.
A Russian team has joined the rescue effort and a team from the UK was expected to arrive by the end of the day.
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Balkans: Worst Floods In A Century Kill 25
Dengan url
https://mukenyerate.blogspot.com/2014/05/balkans-worst-floods-in-century-kill-25.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Balkans: Worst Floods In A Century Kill 25
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Balkans: Worst Floods In A Century Kill 25
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar