Devastating floods on Thursday and Friday killed three people and destroyed roads, bridges and houses in the small alpine country. Two-thirds of the territory has been affected, Golob said.
The floods were “the biggest natural disaster” in Slovenia’s history, Golob said after a meeting of the country’s National Security Council on Saturday. “Luckily, last night was easier than the last.”
After three weather-related deaths were reported on Friday, Slovenian media said on Saturday that one more person was found dead in the capital Ljubljana. Police have not confirmed the report.
The flooding was caused by torrential rains on Friday that caused rivers to rise rapidly, inundating houses, fields and villages. Slovenia’s weather service said a month’s worth of rain fell in less than a day.
Experts say the extreme weather conditions are partly due to climate change. Parts of Europe experienced record heat and battled wildfires throughout the summer.
Golob said road and energy infrastructure were particularly affected, as well as hundreds of homes and other buildings. Thousands of people have been forced to evacuate their homes and many have had to be rescued by helicopters or firefighters on boats.
The Slovenian military has joined the relief effort, with troops arriving in isolated areas in the north to help.
Photos of the scene showed entire villages under water, outdoor campsites destroyed, cars stuck in mud and children’s toys piled up against fences.
Flash floods were also reported in neighboring Austria, where around 80 people were forced to temporarily leave their homes in the southern province of Carinthia.
FOUNTAIN: Associated Press
