Bosnia and Herzegovina: after the flood, the Neretva river suffocates with waste

The images that come from Bosnia and Herzegovina are dramatic: the Neretva river225 km in total length and 203 of which in Herzegovina while the final 22 km cross the Dubrovnik-Neretva region in Dalmatia, is now suffocated by a carpet of debris and waste dragged by recent floods. The tragedy, which caused the death of 26 people and left many missing, is tinged with a further shade of pain, the environmental one.

The torrential rains that hit the central-southern areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina last October 4th they caused devastating floods and landslidesdestroying homes, roads and infrastructure. Jablanica, a village in the south of the state, was among the hardest hit: an avalanche of rocks coming from a quarry in the hill above buried the village, causing the death of 19 people.

While rescue teams continue to search for the missing, the problem of waste management emerges forcefully. The Neretva River, once a tourist destination for its crystal clear waters, is now a mass of debris, plastic and waste of all kinds. This scenario, in addition to representing enormous environmental damage, raises serious questions about waste management in the country and on the vulnerability of the territory in the face of extreme climatic events.

A summer of record heat, then disaster

The flood came after a summer of record heat in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with temperatures which reached 40 degrees and caused droughts and blackouts. According to experts, the lack of rainfall for months has left the soil barren and unable to absorb watercontributing to the violence of the flood.

This disaster reminds us once again of the fragility of our planet and the importance of adopting policies for the prevention and mitigation of hydrogeological risk. Waste management, protection of waterways and land planning are crucial elements for protecting the environment and people’s lives.

The appeal of environmentalist associations

Environmental associations are launching an appeal for prompt action to clean up the Neretva river launch a sustainable reconstruction plan. It is necessary to invest in resilient infrastructure, promote separate waste collection and raise awareness among the population of the importance of protecting the environment.

The tragedy in Bosnia and Herzegovina reminds us that climate change is a reality we must deal with. Extreme events such as floods and droughts are increasingly frequent and intense, putting people’s lives and the balance of ecosystems at risk.