2023-08-05 12:49:50
In Slovenia, the situation in the flooded areas in the north of the country initially remained critical on Saturday. Numerous places remain cut off for the time being, the tidal wave also reached the south. Five Dutchmen were considered missing. Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob spoke of the “biggest natural disaster” in the country’s recent history. “The damage is unimaginable, affecting practically two-thirds of the country,” he said.
The Prime Minister reported at a press conference following the meeting of the National Security Council that the damage to infrastructure and buildings was estimated at more than 500 million euros. According to Golob, it is not necessary to declare a state of emergency for the time being because the civil protection system is working properly. In addition, Slovenia has received offers of help from the international community and neighboring countries, including Austria. “It is right that we accept any help that we may need so that we can get Slovenia back on its feet as soon as possible,” said the prime minister.
Golob announced that the cut-off floodplains would be served from the air. Meanwhile, the media reported that the community of Črna na Koroškem, which has been isolated for two days, has now been reached by a military helicopter with 30 soldiers on board.
The A1 motorway between Ljubljana and Celje was open once more on Saturday followingnoon. The important transit route through Slovenia in the direction of Graz and Vienna had been interrupted since Friday morning. Many local roads were still flooded.
At least five Dutch people are initially missing. The Foreign Ministry announced this to radio station NOS on Saturday, reported the German news agency dpa. It had previously become known that two Dutch people had died. No further details were given. 400 Dutch people had to leave a campsite following severe flooding. Two Dutch men aged 50 and 20 died on Friday. They came from Gouda and, according to media reports, were on a mountain hike near Veliki Draski. Nothing was said regarding the exact circumstances of the death.
In the flood areas, the situation was particularly bad in Koroška. Muds endangered numerous houses, so 150 people had to be evacuated in Dravograd alone on Friday. In Gorenjska, the situation was reportedly a little better on Saturday morning. The water masses have begun to recede. Some towns were still cut off. Rescue operations also continued in the badly affected municipalities of Kamnik and Komenda, north of Ljubjana. Several bridges were also destroyed in the area.
The situation in Celje, where around 4,000 residents were evacuated on Friday, has improved and people might return to their homes. In the Upper Savinja Valley, the rescuers tried to reach the isolated settlements. In southern Slovenia, the Sava River burst its banks. Around 2,000 guests had to be evacuated from the Terme Čatež campsite near Brežice during the night. The tidal wave is expected in Croatia in the next few hours.
Rainfall slowly eased on Saturday, prompting the Environment Agency (ARSO) to lower the warning level to yellow. While the situation along the Sava River remains tense, the situation in other parts of the country should gradually ease as the day progresses.
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