Civil Protection of Republika Srpska on alert: River levels rising

Due to the forecast of the Republic Hydrometeorological Institute of RS, according to which heavier rainfall is expected, civil protection services are on alert. The Civil Protection Department warns the population in settlements along the rivers to be cautious and take preventive measures to protect property, reports the Patria News Agency.

Due to heavy rainfall yesterday in Knežica near Bosanska Dubica, 20 houses were flooded due to the rapid increase in the water level of the Knežica stream. According to the head of the Civil Protection Department in Kozarska Dubica, Đuro Trubarac, the surge of flash floods that caused the problem subsided this morning.

The water is receding in Knežica, but the Una and Sava rivers are rising rapidly. Since yesterday, their water levels have increased by two meters, but they are still below critical points. Due to the overflowing of the Knežica stream, traffic on the main road Prijedor – Bosanska Dubica in the village of Milića Gaj was interrupted last night. However, the water has receded and traffic is proceeding normally this morning.

Regarding Bosanska Kostajnica, the Una is rising significantly. The water rose by up to 15 centimeters per hour last night. Agricultural areas in this region have been flooded. Thanks to the urgent cleaning of the riverbed, undertaken due to heavy rainfall, the Tavija stream, which flows through the center of Bosanska Kostajnica, did not overflow, although its water level is high.

In Bosanski Novi, the Sana and Una rivers are also rising, but they have not overflowed their banks. However, flash floods are causing major problems. As we learned from the Novi Grad Information Center, three houses have been flooded in the villages of Roga, Matavazi, and Crna Rijeka, and water is threatening about thirty more households.

The rapid surge of flash floods has led to traffic disruptions on several road routes. Due to overflowing streams and rivers, the following are interrupted: the regional road Blagaj – Budimlić Japra in the village of Suhača, and the local roads: Blagaj – Vitasovci and Blagaj – Radomirovac in the village of Blagaj, Rudice – Osredak in the village of Čađavica dva, and the local road in the village of Agići – Kršlje in the village of Jagodnjak is also interrupted.

The water level of the Sana in Prijedor this morning is 295 centimeters, which is more than a meter higher than last night, but still below the critical point.

Currently, the biggest problem is the surge of groundwater. Firefighters have had numerous interventions since last night pumping groundwater from basements in the city and surrounding settlements.

Yesterday, several houses in Rasavci were threatened by rising surface water, as well as the factory "Nuti due" in the same Prijedor village.