Unleashed by unrelenting rains, raging waters surged through northern and central Slovenia on August 4, 2023, following a sustained downpour that commenced on August 3. This catastrophic event stands as the most formidable natural disaster ever recorded in Slovenia's history. The Republic of Slovenia Environment Agency (ARSO) reported the brunt of the impact in the foothills of the Julian Alps, stretching from Idrija to the Ljubljana Basin and onward to Carinthia, where an astounding 150 to 200 liters per square meter of rainfall inundated the land. ARSO's red alerts spanned northeastern, northwestern, and central Slovenia due to extended rainfall, remaining in effect until midnight on August 4. The repercussions are staggering, as two-thirds of the Slovenian territory bear witness to the devastation, with infrastructural pillars like roads, energy grids, and residences taking the heaviest blow. Initial estimates indicate a cataclysmic cost exceeding 500 million euros.
As the torrents raged, several communities and vital transportation arteries in North Primorska, Upper Carniola, and Carinthia bore the brunt of the fury. Torrential deluges transformed tranquil waterways in Idrija, Cerkljansko, and Škofja Loka into churning torrents, breaching their banks with raw force. Responding to this calamity, the National Flood Protection and Rescue Plan was swiftly activated. A grim reminder of the world's changing climate, Slovenia witnessed intensified rainfall during late July, precipitating these floods and triggering significant river overflows that engulfed the nation from Thursday night, August 3, to Friday, August 4. The initial torrents surged through Upper Carniola and the Soča Valley around 8:00 PM on August 3, while ARSO, in an urgent gesture, also warned about the looming threat of sea flooding. These harrowing events bear a striking resemblance to past floods in 1990, 1998, and 2004, serving as potent reminders of the ever-increasing impact of climate change on our world.
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