Slovenia is reeling after devastating floods and relentless downpours struck on Friday, killing at least three people and leaving widespread chaos in their wake. Authorities have described the damage as “catastrophic,” with towns submerged and critical infrastructure severely damaged.
The floods claimed the life of a Slovenian woman in Kamnik, where sudden flash floods blocked roads and caused local kindergartens to close for the day. Additionally, two Dutch tourists died in the mountainous region near Kranj. While the death in Kamnik is directly linked to flooding, officials suspect lightning may have caused the fatalities in the mountains, and investigations are ongoing.
In the central city of Celje, approximately 4,000 residents were forced to evacuate after the Savinja River overflowed its banks, flooding homes and streets. Upstream in Ljubno, the same river caused significant damage by toppling houses and triggering landslides, further worsening the crisis.
Prime Minister Robert Golob cut short his holiday to address the disaster. During a briefing, he stated: “We can already say this is a record flood. The scale is catastrophic. We are asking for all the help we can get. I urge everyone to stay home unless absolutely necessary.” Golob described the event as potentially Slovenia’s worst natural disaster since gaining independence in 1991.
These floods in Slovenia are part of a broader pattern of extreme weather affecting Europe. The Balkans, including Serbia, have experienced deadly storms this week. Austria and Georgia are also battling floods and landslides as unpredictable weather patterns continue to cause destruction.
In southern Austria, the districts of Carinthia, Styria, and Burgenland remain on high alert. Emergency teams are working around the clock, and residents have been urged to avoid non-essential travel.
The European Union’s Commissioner for Crisis Management has issued warnings linking these disasters to the increasing threat of climate change. Officials are calling for immediate global action to address the growing risk of extreme weather events.
Originally published by UKNIP.
