Severe Snowfall Strikes Western Serbia, Authorities Advise Caution
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Belgrade, Dec 23 (NationPress) Significant snowfall has impacted western and southwestern Serbia, prompting authorities to caution against potential disruptions to transportation and electricity supply on Monday.
The Serbian Hydrometeorological Institute (RHMZ) has issued an urgent weather warning, predicting intense snowfall from today through Wednesday, with the heaviest accumulation anticipated in the western regions.
The Ministry of Interior's Sector for Emergency Situations has recommended that citizens refrain from unnecessary travel and remain indoors. Residents are advised to prepare for possible power outages.
To facilitate effective communication, RHMZ has activated an emergency SMS notification system to keep the public informed about the severe weather conditions and provide essential guidance, according to the Xinhua news agency.
Snowfall is expected to continue over the next two days, with emergency services on alert to clear roads and assist affected regions.
By Wednesday, forecasts predict that lower areas could receive between 20 and 40 cm of snow, while mountainous regions may experience over 50 cm, as reported by RHMZ.
Earlier this year, Serbia faced substantial losses due to a drought that severely affected crops.
This drought drastically reduced crop yields, compelling farmers to commence their harvests much earlier than scheduled.
For instance, sugar beet harvesting began earlier than the standard mid-October period, and the harvests of corn and sunflowers also started about a month and a half in advance of their usual schedules.
Experts have noted that the drought accelerated the corn harvest, resulting in a projected yield decrease of 16 to 20 percent.
In response, local government initiatives have led to investments in irrigation systems to bolster agricultural resilience.
Petar Samolovac, assistant secretary for Agriculture, Water Management, and Forestry in Vojvodina, stated that the total investment in these irrigation systems amounts to $6.15 million.
This year also saw record-high temperatures across the Mediterranean, with countries such as Albania, Serbia, North Macedonia, Turkey, and Greece experiencing extreme heat.
