Bosnia Fears Renewed Floods After Heavy Rains

More than 100 houses were inundated by water across central Bosnia on Sunday and Monday after several days of heavy rains and melting snow, sparking public concerns about a possible repeat of last year's flood disaster in the country.

Officials however urged calm, stressing that although most of Bosnia's rivers were on the rise, they were still far from critical levels.

The worst situation was recorded in and around the capital Sarajevo, where the River Bosnia flooded more than 100 houses and a number of landslides were triggered.

Similar problems were recorded along the River Bosnia, in the towns of Visoko, Zenica and Doboj, where several dozen landslides were reported.

Some of these areas were the worst hit in last year's floods and did not have time to fully recuperate.

The problem was further aggravated by local politicians who, preoccupied by elections and struggles for power, failed to use much of the offered international assistance for post-flood reconstruction.

For this reason, the flood-prevention infrastructure was not restored in many areas, increasing the risks if there are new floods.

Heavy flooding hit the entire region in May and August last year. In Bosnia, more than 20 lives were lost and tens of thousands of homes destroyed or damaged.

The catastrophe caused damage estimated at around two billion euro, or around 15 per cent of country's GDP. 

Numerous donors helped the country ease the flood disaster but the reconstruction of all the buildings and infrastructure destroyed is still far from complete.