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Balkan floods: Fears of new surge on Serbia's River Sava Balkan floods: Fears of new surge on Serbia's River Sava
(about 3 hours later)
Emergency workers in Serbia are preparing for a "flood wave" on one of the country's main rivers.Emergency workers in Serbia are preparing for a "flood wave" on one of the country's main rivers.
Water levels on the River Sava are expected to peak later, threatening the country's biggest power plant.Water levels on the River Sava are expected to peak later, threatening the country's biggest power plant.
It comes after the worst floods in the Balkans for decades left at least 20 dead and forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes. It comes after the worst floods in the Balkans for decades left more than 35 dead and forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes.
In Bosnia-Hercegovina, landslides have buried houses and disturbed landmines laid during the war in the 1990s.In Bosnia-Hercegovina, landslides have buried houses and disturbed landmines laid during the war in the 1990s.
The floods are also affecting Croatia.The floods are also affecting Croatia.
Three months' worth of rain fell on the region in just a few days, causing rivers to burst their banks and sweep into people's homes. The death toll is expected to rise. Three months' worth of rain fell on the region in just a few days, causing rivers to burst their banks and sweep into people's homes.
Flood alerts are still in place in many areas of Serbia and northern Bosnia, according to the EU Floods Directive.Flood alerts are still in place in many areas of Serbia and northern Bosnia, according to the EU Floods Directive.
The rain has finally stopped in Belgrade, reports the BBC's Guy De Launey in the Serbian capital. Twelve bodies were recovered from the Serbian town of Obrenovac on Sunday, Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said. It takes the toll in Serbia to 17.
Meanwhile at least 19 people at believed to have died in Bosnia. The authorities have warned that the death toll could still rise.
'Solidarity'
The rain has finally stopped in Belgrade, reports the BBC's Guy Delauney in the Serbian capital.
But officials fear water flowing from neighbouring Croatia and Bosnia could cause a "flood wave" on the River Sava on Sunday evening.But officials fear water flowing from neighbouring Croatia and Bosnia could cause a "flood wave" on the River Sava on Sunday evening.
Emergency workers and volunteers have stacked sandbags along the river in Belgrade and other towns such as Sabac and Sremska Mitrovica.Emergency workers and volunteers have stacked sandbags along the river in Belgrade and other towns such as Sabac and Sremska Mitrovica.
Analysis: Guy De Launey, BBC News, Belgrade Analysis: Guy Delauney, BBC News, Belgrade
The extreme weather in Bosnia is heaping danger upon misery. The floods are not just the worst in living memory - they are bringing a deadly reminder of the conflict of the 1990s back to the surface: Landmines. Belgrade was basking in the Sunday sunshine, with the mercury pushing 25 degrees - just as it should be at this time of year. But on the banks of the River Sava, there was no time to relax in the shade.
There are still more than 100,000 landmines littering the Bosnian countryside, according to the country's Mine Action Centre. Almost two decades on from the end of the conflict, people are still killed and injured every year. Scores of young volunteers lined up along the stretch of river from Brankov's Bridge to Ada Ciganlija island - along the bicycle path which would normally be packed with weekend riders. Members of the emergency services marshalled them as they crowded around lorries delivering loads of sandbags, before passing them hand to hand, down the line.
Casualty numbers have reduced over the years, thanks to demining efforts and the mapping of minefields. Local people know the danger areas - and the safe paths. "I came to help my country, my people, my city," said Mladen Kos, who has worked around the world in the hospitality industry. "We're waiting for the Danube river - if it rises up tonight, then the Sava river will be blocked and we will be in big trouble."
But the torrential rain, floods and landslides are likely to cause the mines to move. Warning signs have already been washed away in a number of places. When the floods finally recede, there will be an urgent need for the deminers to move in. Serbia's prime minister has warned people that they cannot fight nature. But the people here are still doing all they can to stop it flooding their homes.
"We are doing all we can," said Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic. "We are doing all we can," said Prime Minister Vucic.
The main concern is whether flood waters could knock out the Nikola Tesla power plant, which supplies much of the country, our correspondent says.The main concern is whether flood waters could knock out the Nikola Tesla power plant, which supplies much of the country, our correspondent says.
It is in Obrenovac, south-west of Belgrade, where most of the population have already been moved to safety. It is in Obrenovac, south-west of Belgrade, where most of the population have now been moved to safety.
'Three metres high''Three metres high'
Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic has joined calls for help.Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic has joined calls for help.
"Support and solidarity for my people in Serbia!'' he wrote on his Twitter account."Support and solidarity for my people in Serbia!'' he wrote on his Twitter account.
Officials have refused to give a death toll for Obrenovac until the floodwaters recede.
Almost one-third of Bosnia has been affected. The north-east is worst-hit, with houses, roads and railway lines submerged.Almost one-third of Bosnia has been affected. The north-east is worst-hit, with houses, roads and railway lines submerged.
Bosnian Serb police chief Gojko Vasic said the situation had been particularly difficult in Doboj "because the flood waters acted as a tsunami, three to four metres high", the Reuters news agency reported.Bosnian Serb police chief Gojko Vasic said the situation had been particularly difficult in Doboj "because the flood waters acted as a tsunami, three to four metres high", the Reuters news agency reported.
"No-one could have resisted," he said."No-one could have resisted," he said.
Humanitarian aid and technical equipment have arrived from Russia and EU countries, officials say.
'Horrible catastrophe''Horrible catastrophe'
Bosnian Security Ministry spokesman Admir Malagic said that about one million people - more than a quarter of the country's population - live in the affected area.Bosnian Security Ministry spokesman Admir Malagic said that about one million people - more than a quarter of the country's population - live in the affected area.
Chairman of the Bosnian three-man presidency Bakir Izetbegovic said that his country is facing a "horrible catastrophe", the Associated Press reported.Chairman of the Bosnian three-man presidency Bakir Izetbegovic said that his country is facing a "horrible catastrophe", the Associated Press reported.
"We are still not fully aware of actual dimensions of the catastrophe," he said."We are still not fully aware of actual dimensions of the catastrophe," he said.