TESLIĆ - EMERGENCY FLOOD DEFENSE DECLARED

TESLIĆ, MARCH 28 /SRNA/ - An emergency flood defense has been declared in Teslić Municipality due to a sharp increase in the water levels of the Usora river and its tributaries, as decided by the Emergency Situations HQ.

All available protection and rescue teams are in the field to mitigate the consequences of the natural disaster, says a press release from the Teslić Municipal Administration.

Civil Protection services worked intensively during the night and early morning to set up protective barriers and embankments.

Two thousand sandbags have been deployed to the most vulnerable sites in the neighborhoods of Stenjak, Mala Usora, Đulić-Kruškovice, Donjani, Gornji Ružević-Gračun, Donji Ružević, and Vrela.

The mayor of Teslić Milan Miličević decided to suspend the operation of all preschool institutions in the municipality and classes in primary and secondary schools.

The relevant institutions are required to organize the safe transportation of students from other neighborhoods, in cooperation with transportation providers.

The Emergency Situations HQ emphasizes that heavy rainfall has caused significant traffic issues.

Traffic on the main road in the neighborhood of Vrela, on the Teslić – Doboj route, has been halted due to the overflow of the Usora River. Drivers are advised to use alternative routes while field teams work to mitigate the effects of the flood.

Due to a landslide on the Borja mountain pass, traffic is currently flowing in one lane on the main road towards Banja Luka, and the company "MG Mind" is currently clearing the road.

The road in the neighborhood of Ugodnović is difficult to pass due to additional landslides.

According to official data, the water level of the Usora River was 386 centimeters this morning at 07:00, which is 76 centimeters higher compared to the previous night.

At the Studenci water intake, the level was 392 centimeters at 10:00, exceeding the threshold for declaring an emergency flood defense, which is 350 centimeters.

The Municipal Emergency Situations Headquarters urges citizens to be cautious, avoid entering flooded areas, and follow official notifications from the relevant services.

Drivers are advised to exercise extra caution on all routes, especially in areas where landslides and traffic disruptions have been reported.

Civil Protection teams, municipal services, and companies involved in recovery efforts are on the ground and are continuously working to protect people and property.

The situation is being monitored hour by hour, and all new information will be promptly communicated to the public, says the press release.