In the Government building of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, the head of the Public Relations Department, Darko Juka, presented the latest information on the situation on the ground due to the floods that hit this part of Bosnia and Herzegovina:
Juka stated that the situation is somewhat more stable, and he confirmed that the emergency services managed to get to Jablanica.
“At this moment, the most critical situation is in Donja Jablanica, which is completely cut off from the world,” said Juka.
He added that “roads collapsed, as well as several bridges on the Drežanka River.”
The wider area of Konjic is also isolated, and the injured are being evacuated by boats used by members of the BiH Armed Forces, Civil Protection and local clubs.
“All available forces are on the ground – the Civil Protection, the police, the Mountain Rescue Service and the Red Cross, while the neighboring cantons are offering help,” said Juka.
Juka appealed to citizens to understand the seriousness of the situation and not to head towards Jablanica and Konjic from any direction.
“Police checkpoints were set up on Salakovac in order to control the influx of vehicles and ensure the safety of citizens,” he said.
He pointed out that “there were two critical situations, including a pregnant woman, both of whom were evacuated to the South camp in Mostar.”
Infrastructure problems and the danger of overloading the power system. The collapse of roads further complicates the situation.
“There is no carriageway in one part near Komadinovo vrelo, and three kilometers of road near Rama have also collapsed,” explained Juka. Electric utilities (EP BiH and EP HZHB) monitor the situation in order to prevent possible overloading of the power system.
Juka confirmed that 14 deaths have been confirmed so far, while there are many reports of missing persons on the ground.
“We still don’t know what the exact number is. I don’t remember a crisis like this since the war until now; the scale of this chaotic situation is terrifying,” said Juka.
Finally, Juka warned against bad forecasts for the coming weekend: “The situation remains very serious. People must understand the drama of the situation.”, Klix.ba writes.
