Situation turns critical: Emergency measures introduced, could water supplies run out?

In Gornji Milanovac, the irrigation and watering of agricultural and green areas has been banned, as well as the filling of swimming pools, wells and private water reservoirs. The use of water for washing and cooling pavements, terraces and yards, as well as the use of fire hydrants for purposes other than their intended function, is also prohibited, Glas Šumadije reports.

The decision was made after the public water supply company "Rzav" from Arilje informed the local authorities about worsening hydrological conditions at the Ševelj water intake.

A separate measure also bans the irrigation of agricultural crops and fields using water from the Dičina River and its tributaries, as well as from wells and springs in the area.

The measures will remain in force until hydrometeorological conditions improve and rainfall increases in the municipality.

Water usage will be monitored by the relevant inspection authorities, and penalties will be imposed on users who fail to comply with the restrictions.

The Danube at critically low levels

Extremely low water levels on the Danube have halted operations at the "Bezdan II" Pumping Station, which is essential for supplying water to the Bačka canal network.

With the river level at minus 131 centimetres this morning, the pumps were no longer able to operate, and forecasts indicate that the water level could fall even further in the coming period.

Serbia’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, Dragan Glamočić, said that the water management sector is facing one of the most difficult hydrological situations in the past half-century. He added that the state will work to minimize the impact on agriculture and the natural environment.

State of emergency declared

Serbian Prime Minister Prof. Dr. Djuro Macut said on Thursday that emergency preventive measures had been taken due to the extremely low water level of the Danube and the ongoing heatwave, including the declaration of a state of emergency in parts of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina.

The Prime Minister stressed that intensive technical works are already underway on the ground to prevent threats to the economy and citizens caused by the historically low water level of the Danube.

"We held an emergency session of the crisis headquarters dedicated to this issue. Intensive work is currently underway to remove underwater sandbanks in order to enable the redirection of water intake flows toward pumping stations that supply canals within the Danube–Tisa–Danube system, as well as the wider water supply network," Macut said.

Heat Dome "scorching" Serbia

The Republic Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia (RHMZ) has issued a warning for a prolonged heatwave across the country, with maximum temperatures expected to range between 35°C and 38°C, and reaching up to 40°C in some areas.

The heatwave is expected to last throughout the first ten days of August, with the most intense period forecast from August 5 to August 8, when maximum daytime temperatures of around 40°C are expected in most parts of the country.

Meteorologist Ivan Ristić told TV Prva this morning that, during the peak of the severe heatwave in Serbia, temperatures could reach an astonishing 48°C in direct sunlight.

Ristić added that there is no rain in sight and warned that the Danube’s water level will continue to fall.