SARAJEVO, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Extreme weather, including heavy snowfall and intense rainfall, has triggered floods, power outages and traffic disruptions across Bosnia and Herzegovina, authorities said Saturday.
The snowstorm has affected large parts of the country, with up to one meter of snow recorded in north BiH's mountainous area, and forecasts suggesting accumulation could reach nearly two meters in mountainous areas by Monday. Traffic in higher elevations has slowed or come to a halt, while authorities have urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel.
Meteorologists have warned that further precipitation, cold snaps and strong winds are expected over the weekend, raising concerns over flooding risks, particularly in northern and northwestern regions.
The Federal Administration of Civil Protection of BiH has said rising water levels are expected in the country's major river, the Sava River basin, especially in the middle and lower Sana basin and across the Spreca basin, with an extraordinary hydrological situation forecast from March 28 to March 31.
Flooding has already been reported in several areas in BiH. The Spreca River overflowed, inundating hundreds of hectares of agricultural land and threatening residential buildings in parts of Tuzla Canton. In north BiH's Prijedor city, 350-400 homes and auxiliary structures were flooded.
Heavy snowfall also damaged power infrastructure, causing widespread outages in northwestern regions, while difficult weather conditions forced the suspension of traffic on multiple roads. Authorities have said emergency teams remain on the ground as efforts continue to restore normal conditions. ■