Due to heavy snowfall, and then rain, the water level of the rivers Miljacka, Bosna and Željeznica has risen since last night in Sarajevo Canton. As the director of the Cantonal Administration of Civil Protection of Sarajevo Canton Dženan Brkanić confirmed, the situation is continuously monitored, and for now there are no major threats to the population.
“According to the information I received from the Cantonal Operations Center, the water level of the Miljacka river is currently decreasing,” said Brkanić, adding that special attention is being paid to the Bosna and Željeznica rivers, where there is a greater risk of spillage.
In the settlement of Semizovac in the municipality of Vogošća, there was a small spill of the river Bosna, where the water breached the embankments that had been installed earlier. However, as he stated, there is no greater danger to the population.
In the municipality of Trnovo, in the settlement of Delijaši, the river overflowed and flooded the school, while in several houses water entered the basement rooms.
“Information from the field indicates that there are currently no major dangers, although all water levels are elevated. All municipal services are on the ground and are reacting in accordance with the situation,” emphasized Brkanić.
Preventive measures are taken as soon as warnings from the Federal Hydrometeorological Institute or other competent institutions are received. Currently, manpower and machinery are engaged in the construction of dikes and protective barriers, with the aim of preventing major spills.
“Yesterday, the situation was extremely critical due to the large amount of rain, with the simultaneous melting of snow. Serious problems could have occurred, but thanks to the timely reactions of the municipalities, the Cantonal Administration of Civil Protection and other institutions, the situation is under control,” Brkanić said.
Civil protection cooperates with all levels of government, including the Sava River Water Area Agency and municipal civil protection headquarters.
According to the forecasts of the Federal Hydrometeorological Institute, new snowfall is expected today, which is why the municipal and cantonal headquarters will continue 24-hour monitoring of the situation on the ground.
Citizens are advised not to approach the banks of rivers and not to undertake activities on their own initiative that could endanger their safety.
In case of danger, they are invited to inform the competent services on numbers 121 or 123, after which firefighters and civil protection services will go to the field and react as necessary, Fena news agency writes.
Photo: archive
