By Eric Leister, Meteorologist
May 18,2014; 9:25PM,EDT
Flooding continues to be a concern in parts of the Balkan Peninsula in eastern Europe, but a new concern has been raised: land mines.
The days of heavy rainfall from a slow-moving storm which led to historic widespread flooding may have also caused land mines hidden more than 20 years ago to appear above ground.
Bosnia and Herzegovina's demining center issued a warning to residents about the possibility of land mines and shells uncovered by mudslides and flood waters, the ITAR-TASS News Agency reported.
As many as 220,000 land mines still are hidden from the Bosnian War of 1992-95, Mine Action Center said.
The heaviest rain was centered from Bosnia and Herzegovina eastward into Serbia and southern Romania through Thursday. Rainfall averaged 100-200 mm (4-8 inches) with local amounts up to 300 mm (12 inches).
The Serbian flooding has elevated concerns about the Nikola Tesla hydroelectric power plant in Sabac, the nation's largest power facility.
Serbia's Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said on Saturday that Sabac is well fortified. Authorities did everything that could be done, including building a 7.3-meter (24 feet) dam.
The Sava River was over 6.3 meters (20.7 feet), which is a historic maximum, Vucic said.
The Sava is expected to rise to between 6.5 and 6.6 meters (21.3 to 21.6 feet) on Sunday, said Vucic, who warned that it is difficult to predict what will happen if the river reaches 6.8 meters (22.3 feet).
The heavy rainfall triggered some of the worst flooding in recent decades. Flooded rivers have closed roads, cut off power and caused more than 200 mudslides across the region, according to The Associated Press.
Bosnian
man views the scene after a landslide caused by flooding in the village
of Topcic polje near Zenica, 120 km north of Sarajevo, Thursday, May
15, 2014. Heavy rainfall caused the river Bosna to flood surrounding
areas causing power cuts and road blockades in some suburban and rural
areas. (AP Photo/Amel Emric)At least 25 people, including a firefighter, have died in the flooding and mudslides, but authorities have warned the death toll could rise.
A
land mine warning sign is posted on a tree above the town of Mostar,
some 80 kms (50 miles) west of Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, March 31,
2002. The tens of thousands of minefields still killing and maiming
people are another legacy of the Bosnian war. Recent flooding in the
country have raised concerns that hidden land mines could have moved
because of the flood waters and mudslides.(AP File Photo/Darko Bandic)In Belgrade, Serbia, around 225 mm (9 inches) of rain was reported in 48 hours, more than the normal rainfall for the city during the months of April, May and June combined.
At least 20,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes in Serbia with many needing to be airlifted from their homes due to the flooding.
In Bosnia, the army has had to limit use of helicopters for evacuations due to rain reducing visibility.
The heaviest rainfall shifted across Austria and Poland Thursday night into Friday, where flooding and power outages were reported.
RELATED:
Bosnia and Herzegovina Weather Center
Belgrade, Serbia, Detailed Forecast
Serbia Weather Center
While periods of rain continued across parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Serbia on Friday, the worst of the storm has ended for the region.
Flooding problems will continue due to the saturated ground and swollen rivers of the region into this weekend. Looking into early this week, much of the area will remain dry with warmer temperatures. The next chance for rain looks to be for the weekend.
Content contributed by AccuWeather.com Staff Writer Mark Leberfinger and AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Alan Reppert
On Social Media
No comments:
Post a Comment