Overstromingen in Kroati�: Rivier Zrmanja breekt record - Evacuaties

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Overstromingen in Kroati�: Rivier Zrmanja breekt records, evacuaties aan de gang

Door de aanhoudende regenval is de rivier de Zrmanja over de beschermende muur in het gebied van de stad Obrovac heengestroomd en is de rivier de Otuča in de gemeente Gračac buiten haar oevers getreden, waarop brandweerlieden, leden van de Kroatische bergreddingsdienst en de staatseenheid voor interventie van de civiele bescherming met evacuatieboten zijn uitgestuurd. De bevoegde diensten zijn ter plaatse en de bewoners van de meest bedreigde huizen zijn ge�vacueerd. De rivier Zrmanja in Obrovac bereikte maandag een nooit eerder bereikte waterstand van 302 centimeter en stijgt nog steeds, terwijl het vorige record nog 39 centimeter lager lag (263 cm), wat betekent dat de situatie “zeer ernstig” is. Voorlopig staan in Obrovac alleen enkele bedrijfspanden en een paar huishoudens onder water, maar niemand is in levensgevaar. De watergolf van Otuča uit Gračac komt naar Zrmanja en de verdediging wordt voorbereid tegen een nog hogere waterstand.

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More than a month’s worth of rain within 5 days floods parts of Croatia

Extremely heavy rains hit parts of Croatia over the past 6 days, dropping as much as 300 mm (11.8 inches) in just 2 days and causing widespread floods, most notably in the towns of Gračac and Obrovac. Forecasters predict further downpours in the coming days, exacerbating the already severe conditions.

Gračac, one of the worst-affected areas, recorded a massive 425 mm (16.7 inches) of rain in just 5 days, significantly more than its May average of 330 mm (13 inches). The relentless downpour caused rivers to break their banks, resulting in flooded homes, roads, and public buildings.

On May 15, 2023, in response to the escalating crisis, authorities dispatched hundreds of soldiers to aid affected residents. Approximately a dozen people in Gračaac were forced to evacuate or seek refuge on the upper floors as the Otuča River overflowed its banks.

The town of Obrovac was also flooded as the Zrmanja River burst its banks. In just 24 hours, the city recorded 250 mm (9.8 inches) of rainfall, causing Zrmanja to reach a historic level of 302 cm (9.9 feet) — 39 cm (1.2 feet) above the previous record level. The flooding reached the old town core, the ground floor of the municipal building, and some business premises. By the morning of May 16, water levels dropped to 254 cm (8.3 feet) — this is just slightly less than the previous record level.

The rise in the water level of the Una River, approximately 3 cm (1.18 inches) per hour, led to emergency flood defense measures in Hrvatska Kostajnica on May 15. The surge in water levels resulted in the closure of State Road 47, interrupting traffic between Hrvatska Kostajnica and Dvor.

On May 17, the water levels of Una in Hrvatska Kostajnica are projected to exceed those recorded in December 2022, when heavy rains flooded the city and forced the declaration of a state of emergency.

The Karlovac area is also bracing for very high river water levels, prompting city authorities to prepare for a possible flood.

The torrential rains also affected northwestern Bosnia, with the towns of Bihać, Bosanska Krupa, and Cazin, and the municipalities of Ključ and Sanski Most experiencing floods.

Weather forecasts predict continued heavy rainfall over the affected regions in the coming two days, suggesting further challenges for these flood-stricken areas. The heaviest rains are expected south of Karlovac where more than 100 mm (4 inches) could fall in a matter of hours.