Attachments
OVERVIEW
Since 4 January, severe winter weather conditions, including heavy snowfall, strong winds and low temperatures, have affected several parts of Serbia, causing partial collapse of the electricity distribution network and widespread, prolonged power outages. These outages severely disrupted heating, water supply and access to essential services, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas. The situation further deteriorated on 7 January, when additional heavy snowfall coincided with a sharp drop in temperatures to severe sub-zero levels. The most affected municipalities included Loznica, Valjevo, Osečina, Ivanjica, Vladimirci, Krupanj, Lučani, Mali Zvornik and Majdanpek, where heavy snow accumulation caused restricted access to communities, disrupted transportation and prolonged electricity cuts due to damage to power infrastructure.
Additionally, as a consequence of heavy precipitation, rivers in Kosovo and Metohija began to overflow. Note: All references to Kosovo in the present document should be understood in the context of United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999). On 7 January, the Ibar river overflowed, followed by the Sitnica river on 9 January, causing localized flooding in the municipalities of Kosovska Mitrovica, Zvečan, Kosovo Polje and Lipljan. Flooding affected residential areas, agricultural land and critical infrastructure, posing risks to livelihoods, health and safety of the population.
The Emergency Situations Sector of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Seriba announced a state of emergency due to snow in 11 municipalities (Loznica, Osečina, Prijepolje, Vladimirci, Mali Zvornik, Valjevo, Majdanpek, Krupanj, Sjenica, Lučani, Ivanjica) as a result of severe winter weather.