Deadly Floods Ravage Slovenia: Three Confirmed Dead as Torrential Rains Smash Nation
Slovenia is reeling after devastating floods and relentless downpours struck on Friday, killing at least three and leaving chaos in their wake. Authorities have labelled the damage “catastrophic,” with towns submerged and infrastructure shredded.
Tragedy in Kamnik and Kranj
The floods claimed the life of a Slovenian woman in Kamnik, where sudden flash floods blocked roads and shut local kindergartens for the day. Two Dutch tourists also died in the mountainous region near Kranj. While the Kamnik death is linked directly to floods, officials suspect lightning might have caused the fatalities in the mountains – investigations are ongoing.
Thousands Evacuated as Rivers Burst Banks
In the central city of Celje, around 4,000 residents were forced to flee as the Savinja River spilled over its banks, flooding homes and streets. Upstream in Ljubno, the same river wreaked havoc, toppling houses and triggering landslides, compounding the crisis.
PM Cuts Holiday Short: “Record Flood, Catastrophic Scale”
Prime Minister Robert Golob ended his vacation to tackle the disaster head-on. At a briefing, he said: “We can already say this is a record flood. The scale is catastrophic. We are asking for all the help we can get. I urge everyone to stay home unless absolutely necessary.” Golob called this potentially Slovenia’s worst natural disaster since independence in 1991.
Europe Faces a Rage of Extreme Weather
Slovenia’s floods are part of a wider Europe-wide onslaught of violent weather. The Balkans, including Serbia, have seen deadly storms this week. Meanwhile, Austria and Georgia battle floods and landslides as unpredictable weather patterns cause havoc.
Southern Austria’s districts of Carinthia, Styria, and Burgenland remain on high alert, with emergency teams working around the clock and residents urged to avoid non-essential travel.
EU Crisis Plan and Climate Change Fears Mount
The European Union’s Commissioner for Crisis Management has sounded widespread alarms, linking these disasters to climate change’s rising threat. Officials urge immediate global action to combat the growing risk of extreme weather events.
