VUKOVAR, Aug 20 (Hina) - After a visit to the eastern region of Baranja, which is threatened by the rising water level of the Danube, Premier Ivica Racan flew over the Danube basin from Vukovar to Ilok in a helicopter on
Tuesday.
VUKOVAR, Aug 20 (Hina) - After a visit to the eastern region of
Baranja, which is threatened by the rising water level of the
Danube, Premier Ivica Racan flew over the Danube basin from Vukovar
to Ilok in a helicopter on Tuesday. #L#
"I think that we have done everything necessary here in Slavonia to
prevent what has been happening over the past few days in Germany
and the Czech Republic," said Racan, who also attended a session of
the county flood crisis headquarters.
The water level of the Danube at Vukovar at 4 pm today was 551
centimetre, prompting the introduction of flood alert. The flood
alert is introduced if the water level is higher than 530 cm.
According to the Croatian Waters, the Danube in Vukovar is expected
to reach a maximum water level of 620 cm. It is estimated that this
water level cannot jeopardise the town.
Only the Island of Sports and the restaurant "Vrske", which are not
protected by an eight-metre high embankment which protects the city
from floods, could end up under the water.
Racan also visited Batina, where he attended the session of the
Osijek-Baranja county flood crisis headquarters. After the
session, he commended the Croatian Army troops who are building a
dam on the bank of the Dunav at Batina.
Asked if the state would help Osijek-Baranja County, where the
economic and social situation has been difficult for some time,
Racan said: "The most important thing now is to protect the area
from the flood, and I believe the worst won't happen, because that
would cause enormous damage".
The water level of the Danube at Batina at 1 pm was 687 cm. For the
threat of floods to be serious, the water level of the river would
have to be 800 cm and more, experts say.
(hina) rml sb