Torrential rains and heavy floods wreaked havoc on several regions of Slovenia on Friday, leading to the loss of at least three lives, severe damage to infrastructure, and widespread inundation of buildings. Slovenian authorities have termed the destruction as “catastrophic,” with communities battling to cope with the relentless deluge.
Among the victims was a Slovenian woman in the central town of Kamnik, where flash flooding during the night blocked roads and necessitated the closure of kindergartens for the day. Additionally, two Dutch nationals tragically lost their lives in a mountainous area near the city of Kranj. While authorities suspect the Kamnik death resulted from flooding, they are still investigating the cause of the fatalities in the mountains, speculating that a lightning strike might be responsible.
The situation has been critical enough to prompt emergency evacuations, with approximately 4,000 people in the central city of Celje being forced to flee. The surging Savinja River overflowed its banks, inundating the town and endangering residents. In Ljubno, upstream from Celje, the same river wreaked havoc, sweeping away houses and causing landslides.
Prime Minister Robert Golob, who cut short his vacation in response to the disaster, expressed his concern at a news conference, describing the floods as possibly the most significant natural disaster since Slovenia gained independence in 1991. He emphasised the urgency of the situation and appealed for any assistance available to aid the affected communities.
“We can already say that this a record flood,” Prime Minister Golob stated, highlighting the magnitude of the catastrophe. “The scale is catastrophic. We are asking for all the help we can get. I am calling on everyone to stay at home unless it’s absolutely necessary to go out.”
Slovenia’s tragedy is part of a broader pattern of extreme weather events across Europe. The Balkans have been hit hard, with Serbia also experiencing a second deadly storm this week. Furthermore, countries such as Georgia and Austria are grappling with deadly flooding and landslides, reflecting the far-reaching impact of unpredictable weather patterns.
As heavy flooding continues to strike parts of southern Austria, residents are urged to take necessary precautions and limit non-essential travel. Emergency services in the affected districts of Carinthia, Styria, and southern Burgenland have been working tirelessly to assist those in need.
The European Union’s Commissioner for Crisis Management has issued widespread warnings in response to the unfolding weather emergencies. These events have raised concerns about climate change’s role in intensifying extreme weather events worldwide, prompting a call for heightened global awareness and immediate action to address this pressing issue.
