State of emergency in Banja Luka: Heavy rainfall triggered over 120 landslides

(Patria) - A state of emergency has been declared in the area of Banja Luka due to landslides and rockfalls caused by heavy rainfall in the past few days - said the head of the Banja Luka Civil Protection Department, Dragan Babić.

Babić said that a massive number of landslides have occurred in the city area, with the Bronzani Majdan settlement being the most affected, and that all available teams have been on duty in the field for 24 hours.

- A commission of ten teams has been formed, which will be in the field starting today in all local communities to record the damage incurred - said Babić.

He says that more than 120 landslides and rockfalls have been reported.

He stated that there is no danger of the Vrbas river overflowing, while the level of the Vrbanja river is slightly above the regular flood defense level.

Babić added that yesterday, at a phone session of the city headquarters, it was concluded that urgent disinfection of flooded areas is necessary when conditions allow, and that public procurement should be carried out for this task.

- We have not yet received any reports regarding damaged buildings - said Babić.

He stated that in some local communities, where a state of emergency was previously declared, auxiliary facilities, garages, and yards were flooded, but that no damage reports have been filed so far.