FUCZ Organized a Meeting: We Expect Rainfall and Floods, But Not Like in 2014

A meeting of representatives from the Sava River Water Agency, the Federal Civil Protection Administration, the Federal Hydrometeorological Institute, and the Federal Institute for Geology was held in Sarajevo today, concerning the announcement of heavier rainfall and possible floods expected next week.

“The meeting was organized at the suggestion of the FUCZ, to assess and analyze the situation and forecast models for the upcoming period, which is expected to bring significant and heavy rainfall, and consequently, floods,” said Sejad Delić, Director of the Sava River Water Agency.

Delić warned all institutions, legal entities, and the public about the occurrence of heavy rainfall that will cause floods, as indicated by forecast models for May 12th, 13th, and 14th.

“The Sava River Water Agency will monitor water levels and forecast models, and in accordance with the operational plan, will inform the BiH Ministry of Security, the FUCZ, the FBiH Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry, and cantonal civil protection administrations. Since we expect strong flash floods, rivers and streams, we have issued instructions to act according to cantonal operational plans. We will begin on-call duty on Saturday,” Delić concluded.

Almir Bijedić, Director of the Federal Hydrometeorological Institute, used the press conference before the meeting to address the media, especially amateur meteorologists.

“I believe you should trust state institutions more than amateurs and others. We have a lot of information being sent to the media, which alarms the public, with forecasts being issued much earlier than necessary. Forecasts change from day to day. I would like you to contact state institutions that provide official weather and hydrological forecasts more in the future,” said Bijedić.

Bijedić is certain that there will be rainfall and floods, but he guarantees that they will not be similar to the floods of 2014.

“There will be rainfall between 100 and 120 liters, even up to 200 liters in parts of the Una and Spreča river basins, and these are the most critical areas,” Bijedić stated.

FUCZ Director Fahrudin Solak said that they have learned lessons from the past and have experienced numerous smaller floods in recent years.

“Today’s meeting is dedicated to understanding what we can expect and what the quantities of rainfall will be. According to the forecasts, they are not negligible, and we should leave nothing to chance,” said Solak, adding that they have been constantly monitoring the situation for five days.

He stated that standard precautionary measures are already being taken.

“We cannot put an umbrella over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Those working in riverside areas should stop in case of rising water. We are available for anything that is requested of us,” Solak concluded.