Devastating flood strikes Macedonian capital
Victims drowned in homes as torrential rain prompts two-week state of emergency
SKOPJE, MACEDONIA— Macedonia’s government declared a state of emergency Sunday in parts of the capital hit by torrential rain and floods that left at least 21people dead, six missing and dozens injured, authorities said. Police and army helicopters searched for the missing and evacuated hundreds from the flood zone.
Mayor Koce Trajanovski described the damage as “the worst Skopje has ever seen.” He said that the deadly deluge created hazardous rainfall accumulations within only 20 minutes.
“It was like a water bomb has fallen,” he said.
Many witnesses have described that victims drowned after being trapped in their houses when torrents suddenly swept through the area.
The heavy rain, strong winds and thunderstorms struck Skopje and its northern suburbs late Saturday. Special police, army units and firefighters were sent to the worst-hit areas as well as the nearby villages of Stajkovci, Cento, Aracinovo and Smiljkovci.
Government spokesman Aleksandar Gjorgiev told The Associated Press a state of emergency had been declared for two weeks in the most affected areas.
Hundreds of homes and vehicles were destroyed by the floods, roads were impassable and several areas were without electricity. Authorities said more than 1,000 people had been evacuated so far.
Meteorologists said more torrential rain and strong winds were expected later Sunday.
Authorities said at least 5,000 people would urgently need food and water. They urged people to stay at home and to only drink bottled water.
Further north in Croatia, stormy winds have disrupted road and sea traffic at the height of the tourist season.