WARNING: Take preventive measures for protection and rescue from heavy rainfall and wind

(Patria) - Given that for March 11, 2025, the Federal Hydrometeorological Institute issued an ORANGE WARNING for heavy rainfall in most of Bosnia and Herzegovina - northern, eastern parts of Herzegovina, southwestern and partially central areas of Bosnia, and strong gusts of southern wind across the country, and that the expected amount of precipitation is between 30 and 60 l/m2, locally from 80 to 100 l/m2, and that gusts of southern wind between 50 and 70 km/h are expected, in the mountains up to 80 km/h, which may also affect the area of Sarajevo Canton, the Cantonal Civil Protection Administration has issued a warning to all legal and natural persons to take preventive measures for protection and rescue from heavy rain and precipitation, and strong wind.

"According to the Notification on the forecast of extraordinary hydrological conditions for the period from March 11 to March 13, 2025, by the Agency for the Sava River Water District Sarajevo, due to heavy rainfall, a rise in water levels and the occurrence of torrential streams are forecasted in the area of Sarajevo Canton, as well as possible local overflow of water from watercourses.

In this regard, we warn all legal and natural persons to, preventively for the protection of human health and life, as well as material and cultural goods, IMMEDIATELY in accordance with their competencies and obligations prescribed by the Law on Protection and Rescue of People and Material Goods from Natural and Other Disasters, take the necessary preventive measures for protection from rainfall and strong wind and prepare adequate forces and material-technical means for a rapid response to the announced strong wind gusts and rainfall, because this will create preconditions for more efficient and faster response of all subjects of the protection and rescue system in a comprehensive response to potential challenges and threats from strong wind gusts and floods, and thus avoid major material damage, as well as possible injuries and human casualties.

We especially appeal to municipal civil protection services in the area of Sarajevo Canton TO IMMEDIATELY put their organized protection and rescue forces on standby, so that they are READY AS FIRST RESPONSE FORCES, to respond in accordance with their competencies and obligations under protection and rescue plans to possible heavier rainfall and strong wind gusts in the area of their municipalities.

Also, we appeal to legal entities performing works on construction sites not to leave objects that could, due to strong wind, fall from building roofs, construction scaffolding, etc., and thereby endanger the safety of passers-by.

We also appeal to our fellow citizens not to leave objects on their balconies and other open spaces that could, due to wind, endanger the safety of passers-by, not to park their vehicles near large trees, and to avoid trips and stays in nature during the period of the orange warning.

We note that the aforementioned entities are obliged to IMMEDIATELY, as soon as they notice or learn of any danger or occurrence that could lead to a natural or other disaster, submit all data about it to the Cantonal Operational Center for Civil Protection at phone number 121, which operates continuously 24 hours every day," the warning of the CCPU of Sarajevo Canton states.