Flash floods and devastating landslides in central Bosnia-Herzegovina have left at least 19 people dead and entire towns isolated, with many homes nearly submerged beneath torrents of water. The tragic events unfolded following an intense overnight storm that shocked the region.

Among the hardest-hit areas is Jablanica, strategically located on the main route connecting the cities of Mostar and Sarajevo—just about 70 kilometers (around 40 miles) to the northeast. Reports indicate significant destruction, with local authorities confirming that the severity of the disaster exceeds previous estimates. Although initial reports suggested 16 fatalities, clearer assessments have raised the death toll. Additionally, several individuals remain unaccounted for, triggering extensive search and rescue operations.

Development Minister Vojin Mijatovic described the situation as a "terrible disaster" and urged citizens to remain calm amidst the chaos. Many communities are inaccessible, with roads, bridges, and railway tracks utterly ravaged or obstructed by debris. The main M-17 transport route alongside the Neretva River has been overwhelmed, particularly near Jablanica, and photographs reveal towns and villages engulfed by water.

In the town of Fojnica, three more lives have been confirmed lost, while ten individuals are still missing in the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton. In an emotional account from one survivor, a local resident recounted how their home was inundated shortly after 3:30 AM on Friday. They narrowly escaped with their son, only to watch their home collapse moments after reaching safety.

Further complicating the scenario, reports from neighboring Montenegro indicate that severe flooding has also left the village of Komarnica cut off as roads were swept away. Meanwhile, rising water levels in rivers across Croatia have prompted warnings, particularly in Karlovac, where the Kupa River poses a flooding risk.

The recent devastating weather events are not isolated incidents; they are part of a broader pattern affecting Central Europe. Last month, numerous countries, including Poland, the Czech Republic, and Romania, suffered severe flooding. Scientists from the World Weather Attribution (WWA) have pointed to climate change as a key factor exacerbating these floods, highlighting that one recent four-day period was the rainiest ever documented in the region.

As the climate crisis intensifies, Europe is now the fastest-warming continent, with temperatures in the last five years averaging 2.3 degrees Celsius higher than in the latter half of the 19th century, according to data from the Copernicus climate service.

As the recovery efforts in Bosnia continue, the nation grapples with the profound devastation of lives and homes, raising urgent questions about climate resilience and preparedness in the face of increasingly erratic weather patterns. Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding tragedy.