Drama in parts of Serbia; State of emergency declared in the south; Population evacuated

Firefighters–rescuers evacuated nine people by boat from Pavlovac, including four adults and five children, and they have been accommodated at the Shelter for Adults in Vranje, Radio Television of Serbia reported.

Traffic has been suspended on the road from the Vranje Railway Station toward the village of Ćukovac due to rising water levels.

For the safety of citizens, the bridges over the South Morava in Rataj and Ćukovac have also been closed to traffic, as there is a risk of overflow and potential structural damage.

Media report that the situation on the ground is stabilizing, with water receding from yards, and that basements in the houses from which residents were evacuated remain flooded.

State of Emergency in Vranje

Due to the overflow of the South Morava River and the risk of further spread of the flood wave, as well as the overflow of other rivers and canals across much of the territory of the city of Vranje and the Vranjska Banja municipal area, the City Emergency Headquarters decided at today’s emergency session to declare a state of emergency across the entire territory of Vranje, according to the official city website.

The City Emergency Headquarters also adopted a resolution ordering the Public Health Institute in Vranje to carry out an analysis of drinking water from wells in the flooded households in the village of Pavlovac.

A recommendation was also issued that, due to the heavy rainfall that caused the South Morava River to overflow, and the potential continuation of rain and possible threat to the wastewater treatment facility in the village of Ćukovac, representatives of “Serbia Highways” be contacted to close culverts near the wastewater treatment plant in Ćukovac so that the water does not endanger the facility.

State of Emergency in Lebane Municipality

A state of emergency was also declared today across the entire territory of the Lebane municipality due to the overflow of drainage canals, streams, and the Jablanica River at the exit of Lebane as a result of heavy rainfall, the municipality’s Emergency Headquarters reported, as carried by local media.

Relevant services are on site, taking all necessary measures to protect and rescue the population and property, the statement said.

The Lebane Municipal Emergency Headquarters emphasized that residents will be regularly informed about all important developments and next steps, and appealed to citizens to exercise caution and cooperate with the authorities.