Storm in Serbia causes power outages, fires and crop damage

(Patria) - A severe storm accompanied by heavy rainfall, hail and gale-force winds hit most of Serbia last night, including Belgrade, Vojvodina, Šumadija and Pomoravlje, causing fires, power supply interruptions and traffic problems in some parts of the country.

The storm reached Belgrade shortly after 8 p.m., after the Republic Hydrometeorological Institute (RHMZ) issued an urgent warning of intense downpours with thunder, hail and gale-force winds.

In some parts of the city, large amounts of water remained on the roads, and problems were also recorded in traffic.

Due to the storm, some parts of Zemun were left without electricity, while emergency services intervened at several locations.

Before the storm arrived, the Sector for Emergency Situations of the Ministry of Interior warned citizens via SMS messages and e-mail about the danger of the storm, which could threaten the safety of people and animals.

The warning referred to Vojvodina, the wider Belgrade area, western Serbia, Šumadija, Pomoravlje, Braničevo and Bor districts.

The greatest consequences of the storm were felt in some parts of Bačka and Banat, reported Radio Television of Serbia (RTS).

In Bačka Topola, due to sparking on power lines caused by strong winds, about 500 square meters of unthreshed barley and oats burned.

In Gunaroš, a lightning strike burned about 800 square meters of wheat, while at a farm in Novi Orahovo, material damage occurred after a lightning strike hit the electricity meter.

Firefighters also intervened due to fallen trees on the roads, and in Karađorđevo and Mišićevo, trees that had fallen onto the road due to strong winds were removed.

Hail also caused damage to agricultural crops in some places in the north of the country, including the area of Gornji Tavankut, RTS reported.

Meteorologists stated that during the evening, the storm system moved across western Serbia, Belgrade, Šumadija, Pomoravlje, Bor, Braničevo and Zaječar districts towards Romania and Bulgaria.

The Ministry of Interior announced after the storm had passed that the state of emergency declared due to the warning of a storm with hail and strong winds had ended.