The quiet village of Donja Jablanica in Bosnia was shattered by the roar of a devastating flood, leaving behind a trail of destruction and heartbreak. Residents awoke to what sounded like an earthquake as flash floods tore through a quarry above the village, unleashing a torrent of rubble and dirt that engulfed homes and vehicles.
Seventy-four-year-old resident Ala Gusic shared her harrowing experience, “When I went to bed, I heard loud roars that resembled an earthquake.” The flood claimed the lives of four of her relatives, leaving her with nothing but grief and a destroyed home. “How should I feel, losing four, having no one anymore? My house is completely destroyed, there is no one, no one. What can I tell you?” she lamented.
Bosnian rescue workers search for victims of the flood
The horrifying experience was echoed by another resident, N Begovic, who recounted, “I heard a tremendous rumble. I also heard screams, and then all went silent.” The suddenness and ferocity of the flood left no time for escape, leaving residents in a state of shock and despair.
Rescue teams worked tirelessly, digging through the rubble in a desperate search for survivors and those who had tragically lost their lives. The official death toll in the Jablanica area has risen to at least 13, a grim testament to the devastating power of the flood.
This disaster follows a summer of unprecedented drought that parched rivers and lakes across the Balkans. The lack of rainfall severely impacted agriculture and strained water supplies to urban areas, creating a cascade of challenges for the region.
The flood in Donja Jablanica is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of extreme weather events, which are becoming increasingly frequent and intense due to climate change. As the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, the focus shifts to rebuilding lives, homes, and the spirit of a village forever scarred by the flood’s fury.
