Water Crisis Prompts State of Emergency in Western Serbia; 200,000 Affected

Western Serbia is grappling with a significant water crisis, forcing authorities in Cacak and Gornji Milanovac to declare a state of emergency even before the official start of summer. The disruption stems from a major failure on the Rzav regional water main, a critical infrastructure component.

The burst pipe has severely impacted the water supply for more than 200,000 residents spread across five municipalities: Gornji Milanovac, Pozega, Arilje, Lucani, and Cacak. The situation is particularly critical in Lucani and Cacak, where numerous households have lost their water supply entirely.

In other affected municipalities, while water is still flowing, it is currently non-potable, posing further challenges for the local population. The state of emergency has been officially declared for a ten-day period, indicating the severity and immediate nature of the crisis.

This water shortage highlights the vulnerability of regional water infrastructure and the potential impact on large populations during periods of high demand or system failures. Authorities are working to address the issue and restore a safe and reliable water supply to the affected communities.