Balkans Brace for Intense Heat Wave with Water Rationing and Health Alerts
Cities across the Balkans are issuing urgent appeals as a prolonged heat wave pushes daytime temperatures to 38‑40 °C. In Belgrade, the public water utility warned residents to limit non‑essential water use and avoid activities such as filling pools or washing cars, while the Serbian meteorological service forecast tropical nights and temperatures up to 38 °C. Police in Virovitica‑Podravska County cautioned that extreme heat can cause dizziness and loss of balance, citing a recent fall of a 90‑year‑old man at Orahovačko lake.
In Croatia, police and safety officials warned swimmers of the heightened risk of drowning and advised against swimming alone, especially in rivers with hidden currents. The Zadar water authority announced water‑saving measures, urging households and businesses to cut irrigation, car washing and pool filling as reservoir levels fall. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, meteorologist Nedim Sladić explained that a dry easterly wind makes the 34 °C heat more tolerable in Sarajevo. Health agencies in the region highlighted the danger of dehydration and kidney stress, noting that high temperatures increase hospital admissions for kidney problems.
The combined warnings underscore the need for rational water consumption, hydration, and reduced exposure to direct sun between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. across Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Slovenia.
Entities: Belgrade · Belgrade City Institute of Public Health · Beogradski vodovod i kanalizacija (Belgrade Water Supply and Sewerage) · Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service (DHMZ) · Croatian Police · Direkcija Republike Slovenije za vode · Direkcija Republike Slovenije za vode (Slovenian Water Directorate) · Državni hidrometeorološki zavod (DHMZ) – Croatia · Institute of Public Health Serbia Batut · JKP Beogradski vodovod i kanalizacija · Maja Gregurović · Nedim Sladić
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Croatian health agency issued recommendations to protect vulnerable groups from extreme heat, including staying in shade, drinking water and avoiding alcohol. (existing)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] From 2015 to 2024, 770 people drowned in Croatia, including 45 victims under 19 years old. (existing)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Belgrade water utility warned citizens to limit non‑essential water use during a heat wave with temperatures up to 38 °C. (existing)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Croatian police warned citizens, after a 90‑year‑old man fell at Orahovačko lake, that high temperatures increase risk of dizziness and loss of balance. (existing)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Bosnian meteorologist Nedim Sladić explained that a dry easterly wind reduces humidity, making 34 °C heat more tolerable in Sarajevo. (existing)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Serbian meteorological forecasts predict daytime temperatures up to 40 °C and advise staying hydrated, avoiding sun between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., and limiting physical activity. (existing)
- [● 2 SOURCES] State meteorological office raised a red alert for eastern Croatia with temperatures above 37 °C on 4 August. (existing)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Belgrade water utility urged citizens to use water rationally during the heat wave to keep the supply stable. (7f705844-cc79-4852-8945-aadd7390f32b)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Serbian meteorological service warned that Belgrade could see temperatures up to 38 °C with tropical nights. (7f705844-cc79-4852-8945-aadd7390f32b)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Belgrade water utility appealed to citizens to use water rationally during the heat wave. (7f705844-cc79-4852-8945-aadd7390f32b)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Croatian health agency reported 770 drownings between 2015 and 2024, including 45 victims under 19 years old. (d557afc6-23cf-4d1c-9f2d-f7b854bb4ee3)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Police in Virovitica‑Podravska County warned that extreme heat increases the risk of dizziness and loss of balance, especially for older people. (74fb8340-7dcc-4b03-abf3-8f70fd61703d)