Significantly increased cracks below the 'Curine njive' site indicate possible active soil sliding

(Patria) - The Municipal Civil Protection Headquarters of Stari Grad (SG) Municipality organized a 24-hour terrain observation in landslide-affected areas, specifically at Curine njive, Knjeginjac, and Bistrički potok, with the aim of early warning for the endangered population and their potential evacuation. Significantly increased cracks have appeared below the 'Curine njive' site, and these changes indicate possible active soil sliding.

Employees of the Civil Protection Service of SG Municipality and members of the protection and rescue services of the Municipality of Stari Grad Sarajevo observed on February 13th at the "Curine njive" site – Municipality of Istočni Stari Grad and SG Municipality (Bostarići) – that cracks have formed on the ground due to stress and soil movement along the slip surface, and these cracks vary in size, shape, and orientation. Visible changes in the shape of the cracks are occurring, specifically an increase in their width and length.

In the part of the "Curine njive-playground" site, there is a constant inflow of water of higher intensity, which is partially flooding the meadow. Due to temperature fluctuations, this leads to the formation of ice.

The presence of water in the western part of the landslide, directly below the embankment, cannot be precisely determined. This water penetrates the landslide body and weakens the soil's resistance characteristics along the slip surface (it is assumed to originate from underground catchments that are under pressure from the earth or construction material from the embankment).

No water presence or constant inflow of water into the landslide body has been observed in the upper part of the deposited material/embankment. No permanent water flows have been noted on the affected terrain. A periodic, unnamed stream has slightly cut into the central and lower parts of the slope/embankment, and in a short section of its course, it disappears by infiltrating into the cracks of the landslide body.

In the area below the "Curine njive-playground" site (part of SG Municipality Sarajevo), a change in the shape of previously formed cracks is visible, specifically a significant increase in their width and length. The terrain remains waterlogged, which negatively impacts the soil sliding processes.

These changes indicate possible active soil sliding, exacerbated by the terrain's waterlogging. Waterlogging can further destabilize the soil, reducing its strength and increasing the risk of sliding.

Geological soil investigations are being conducted at this site – drilling of exploratory boreholes by representatives of the Institute of Geotechnics and Geological Engineering of the Faculty of Civil Engineering in Sarajevo. Additionally, a 24-hour terrain observation is being carried out to provide early warning to the endangered population and for their evacuation, as well as to alert the Operational Center of SG Municipality, the Municipal Civil Protection Headquarters of SG Municipality, and the protection and rescue services of SG Municipality, and the Operational Center of the Cantonal Civil Protection Administration of KS.

Furthermore, upon visiting the "Knjeginjac" site on February 13th, employees of the Civil Protection Service of SG Municipality determined that no new quantities of earth and stone material are being deposited, nor are any construction works being carried out.

It was also determined that in an earlier period, the Municipality of Istočni SG had installed some metal poles and protective fencing to prevent any potential deposition of new quantities of earth and stone material.

No new deposits of construction or other materials are visible at the landfill near the construction site of the "Trebević Hills" facility.

The Municipality of Istočni SG has continued construction work at the "Knjeginjac" site, filling the access road with crushed stone material to facilitate easier access for machinery that will be used to implement urgent drainage measures in the lower part of the landslide and for controlled water discharge from the landslide body to the nearest recipient.

In the lower part of the deposited material/embankment, geological soil investigations are ongoing – drilling of exploratory boreholes by representatives of the Institute of Geotechnics and Geological Engineering of the Faculty of Civil Engineering in Sarajevo.

At the Bistrički potok site – SG Municipality (Boguševac) and Istočni SG Municipality, it was observed that the Bistrički potok stream bed is still partially filled with material from the landfill, fallen trees, and previously cut trees.

No new collapses of material from the landfill in the form of earth-stone material and trees have been observed, nor has any removal of previously deposited earth-stone material and trees been noted. A 24-hour terrain observation is being conducted by employees of the Civil Protection Service of SG Municipality, and information is being provided to the duty Operational Center.

Acting on the Order of the KS Civil Protection Headquarters regarding the evacuation of the population from the endangered area of Stari Grad Municipality, since November 1, 2024, employees of the Civil Protection Service of SG Municipality have been regularly patrolling residential buildings and citizens in Bostarići, Ablakovina, and Ablakovina čikma streets.

In accordance with the Evacuation and Accommodation Plan for the population in case of assessment of potential natural or other disasters, or if a state of natural or other disaster is declared in the area of SG Municipality – MZ “Širokača” locality, Bostarići and Ablakovina streets, and the Amendments to the Evacuation and Accommodation Plan for the population in case of assessment of potential natural or other disasters, or if a state of natural or other disaster is declared in the area of SG Municipality – MZ “Širokača” locality, Bostarići and Ablakovina streets, adopted on November 6, 2024, by the Municipal Civil Protection Headquarters of SG Municipality, employees of the Civil Protection Service and the Service for Local Community Affairs of the Municipality are undertaking further activities for the accommodation of the population from the endangered area in available accommodation units that will be provided through SG Municipality.

The landslide is still active in the Mladoševica settlement, MZ Novi Šeher, Maglaj Municipality. The Municipal Civil Protection Headquarters of Maglaj regularly monitors the situation on the ground, communicates with the population, and with higher levels of government.

Also, according to data from the Travnik measuring station, the air quality index AQI is 4, which is polluted.

The Federal Hydrometeorological Institute has issued a Yellow Level warning for the Livno area, due to a new snow cover depth of 5 to 15 centimeters. The snow depth measured at 7 AM in Bjelašnica is 78 cm, as announced by the Federal Civil Protection Administration.