After no rain for the first time on Sunday, the damage assessment starts in Serbia.Continue reading
Following his talks with his Slovenian counterpart Marjan Sarec, Minister of Defense Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky announced that Hungarian Defense Forces helicopters will be dispatched to Slovenia to support rescue operations.
On Sunday, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky wrote on his Facebook page that military planning of the details was already underway. He stressed that neighboring countries can always count on Hungary’s help.
Emergency services were deployed in several areas of Austria and Slovenia on Sunday after days of heavy rain and flooding, causing landslides, reports Hirado.hu. The Slovenian Prime Minister announced on Sunday that he had requested assistance from neighboring countries and had also notified the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. “We are here to bring effective assistance,” said Robert Golob in Skofja Loka, one of the worst affected areas. He added that
Slovenia was expecting assistance, including logistical support and helicopter transport capacity, from the armies of neighboring countries.
Tine Radinja, mayor of Skofja Loka, described the local situation as catastrophic, stressing that three valleys remain inaccessible and calling for state and EU assistance. Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar visited Kamnik, north of the capital, and said that the state was doing its utmost to repair the catastrophic damage. She described the devastation as horrific.
Heavy rains have caused flash floods and landslides in parts of Slovenia, blocking roads and bridges, flooding buildings and forcing evacuations.
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Although water levels are stabilizing across the country, heavy rains and wet ground have increased the risk of landslides, and the Slovenian Geological Institute has warned of the need for caution. According to official figures, four people have died so far as a result of the floods.
Severe floods are also expected on two rivers in western Hungary.
The Dráva and Mura rivers are both reported to be experiencing massive flooding, with water levels exceeding the level of flood alert III, reports Nyugat.hu. The Dráva at Őrtilos peaked on Sunday. After that, in the first half of next week, the river could reach its highest level at different points each day as the tide moves up, until it finally flows into the Danube.
On Sunday morning, the protection of houses near Mura started. In Muraszemenye, both professional and voluntary rescue teams are working, three houses have been surrounded by sandbags, and one person had to leave his home because of the accumulated water. Volunteers are assisting with continuous pumping and building a rabbit dam to stop the water. Similar works may be needed in Molnári and Tótszerdahely.
The National Water Directorate General reported on Sunday afternoon that the Mura was flooding intensively. At Letenye, the river will peak at dawn on Monday, with water levels of 530 +-10 cm above degree III. Local and national experts are on 24-hour patrol and monitoring duty, closing and opening sluices and checking their water-tightness.
Featured photo via Facebook/Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky