It's being called one of the worst natural disasters in Serbia and Bosnia in more than a century.
"The floods were caused by record rainfall, the heaviest deluge to hit the Balkans in almost 120 years. Both countries have appealed for international help and warn the flooding will likely get worse." (Via CBC)
↵
Local officials have refused to release an official death toll until the devastating flood waters have receded and authorities have had time to see the extent of the damage. (Via YouTube / dzohusafetw)
But RT reports at least 20 people have died and thousands have evacuated their homes since record-breaking rainfall began wreaking havoc on the area this week.
Both Serbia and Bosnia have reportedly declared a state of emergency. Al Jazeera quotes Serbia's prime minister as saying, "Serbia has never seen such a horrible natural catastrophe."
But according to the BBC, getting rescue crews and supplies to affected areas is near impossible — overflowing rivers have drowned towns and villages, and landslides have buried houses and other buildings.
"When we saw the first two houses start to slide down, when the place started disappearing, you know, we could do nothing but cry. This morning, my house, everything, it's all gone." (Via BBC)
And it doesn't look like the situation will let up any time soon — rain fell steadily through Saturday, and even more rainfall was in the forecast for Sunday.
