Surprised that this hasn't been brought up yet, this forum has had a downturn of active users for sure.



A quite disastrous situation indeed. No deaths reported, but huge damage to farmlands which is going to be devastating for the villages affected.
Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski accompanied by the Transport Minister Mile Janakieski visited the flood-hit areas near Bitola.
The Prime Minister was briefed by the Mayor of Novaci that in two days, the regional road Bitola-Novaci will be passable and that the municipality works intensively on pumping the waters from yards and houses in the area.
The damages of farmlands are huge. Fortunately, there are no larger damages to the households due to the timely intervention of the units. The inhabitants have confirmed this fact, Gruevski stated during the visit.
However, Mr Gruevski underlined that an evaluation of the damages will be made.
"Naturally, the Government will offer assistance. We have provided aid in less serious situations. This is a good moment to remind of the fact that few years ago, the Government provided a possibility for all farmers to insure their land in case of flooding and other natural catastrophes, i.e. the Government will cover about 60% of all costs. Unfortunately, only a small number of farmers have used this possibility, the level of awareness is still low", Mr Gruevski highlighted.
The Prime Minister was briefed by the Mayor of Novaci that in two days, the regional road Bitola-Novaci will be passable and that the municipality works intensively on pumping the waters from yards and houses in the area.
The damages of farmlands are huge. Fortunately, there are no larger damages to the households due to the timely intervention of the units. The inhabitants have confirmed this fact, Gruevski stated during the visit.
However, Mr Gruevski underlined that an evaluation of the damages will be made.
"Naturally, the Government will offer assistance. We have provided aid in less serious situations. This is a good moment to remind of the fact that few years ago, the Government provided a possibility for all farmers to insure their land in case of flooding and other natural catastrophes, i.e. the Government will cover about 60% of all costs. Unfortunately, only a small number of farmers have used this possibility, the level of awareness is still low", Mr Gruevski highlighted.
The Red Cross of Macedonia distributed Saturday humanitarian aid to flooded areas in Bitola, Prilep, Stip, Kocani, Strumica and on Friday afternoon in Kicevo and Gostivar regions.
A total of MKD 4.683.500 have been donated for flooded areas at the mobile telephone numbers 070/075/077 143-400 and MKD 741,987 at the Solidarity Fund account thus far.
The Red Cross said humanitarian aid in food and hygiene packages, blankets, water, mattresses, disinfectants have been distributed to flooded areas.
A total of MKD 4.683.500 have been donated for flooded areas at the mobile telephone numbers 070/075/077 143-400 and MKD 741,987 at the Solidarity Fund account thus far.
The Red Cross said humanitarian aid in food and hygiene packages, blankets, water, mattresses, disinfectants have been distributed to flooded areas.
Crna Reka Floods Pelagonia
Tuesday, 03 February 2015
President Gjorge Ivanov visited Tuesday flood-*hit areas nearby Crna Reka (River) in the Pelagonia region and the villages of Trojkrsti and Loznani.
Ivanov visited the village of Trojkrsti where soldiers, employees of the Prilep public enterprises and firefighting units are setting up sandbags as a preventative protection from heavy rains that are forecast in the coming days. Six thousand sandbags should be set up today alongside Crna Reka and Blato canal near the villages of Cepigovo, Trojksti and Topolcani, according to the relevant institutions in Prilep.
“Today we are in the Pelagonia region to see the overflow caused by Crna Reka and all the activities carried out by the army, the municipalities and public enterprises because forecasters are announcing torrential rains in the coming days and these submerged areas need to be protected,” Ivanov stated after visiting Loznani village adding that approximately 250 soldiers were erecting 10,000 sandbags. He also called on local inhabitants to join the operation of setting up sandbags in order to “prevent disasters which are also gripping the neighboring countries.”
The Macedonian Army (ARM) is engaged in several regions, said the Chief of ARM General Staff, Lieutenant General Goranco Koteski.
“In the past few days, the army has been engaged in Stip, Strumica, Kumanovo and the Pelagonia region, especially on the banks of Crna Reka. ARM is doing its best and is prepared to put its capacities at disposal in order to help the citizens and the local self*government units that are most likely to be hit by floods,” he stated adding the Army was also prepared to evacuate inhabitants if necessary.
At the moment, 700 soldiers are engaged, as well as mechanization to supply flood*hit municipalities with fuel. Also, two aviation teams are on stand*by if a need arises to evacuate the population. In addition to the army, assistance for the smaller municipalities in the region is being provided by the municipalities of Bitola and Prilep after an agreement was made by the Crisis HQ held in Bitola on Monday evening.
Tuesday, 03 February 2015
President Gjorge Ivanov visited Tuesday flood-*hit areas nearby Crna Reka (River) in the Pelagonia region and the villages of Trojkrsti and Loznani.
Ivanov visited the village of Trojkrsti where soldiers, employees of the Prilep public enterprises and firefighting units are setting up sandbags as a preventative protection from heavy rains that are forecast in the coming days. Six thousand sandbags should be set up today alongside Crna Reka and Blato canal near the villages of Cepigovo, Trojksti and Topolcani, according to the relevant institutions in Prilep.
“Today we are in the Pelagonia region to see the overflow caused by Crna Reka and all the activities carried out by the army, the municipalities and public enterprises because forecasters are announcing torrential rains in the coming days and these submerged areas need to be protected,” Ivanov stated after visiting Loznani village adding that approximately 250 soldiers were erecting 10,000 sandbags. He also called on local inhabitants to join the operation of setting up sandbags in order to “prevent disasters which are also gripping the neighboring countries.”
The Macedonian Army (ARM) is engaged in several regions, said the Chief of ARM General Staff, Lieutenant General Goranco Koteski.
“In the past few days, the army has been engaged in Stip, Strumica, Kumanovo and the Pelagonia region, especially on the banks of Crna Reka. ARM is doing its best and is prepared to put its capacities at disposal in order to help the citizens and the local self*government units that are most likely to be hit by floods,” he stated adding the Army was also prepared to evacuate inhabitants if necessary.
At the moment, 700 soldiers are engaged, as well as mechanization to supply flood*hit municipalities with fuel. Also, two aviation teams are on stand*by if a need arises to evacuate the population. In addition to the army, assistance for the smaller municipalities in the region is being provided by the municipalities of Bitola and Prilep after an agreement was made by the Crisis HQ held in Bitola on Monday evening.



A quite disastrous situation indeed. No deaths reported, but huge damage to farmlands which is going to be devastating for the villages affected.
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