# Montenegro drought and water scarcity crisis

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/montenegro-drought-and-water-scarcity-crisis
> Updated: 2026-10-05T05:57:46.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 2.

Montenegro is experiencing a severe ecological crisis driven by prolonged drought, lack of precipitation, and insufficient snowpack. 

In Plužine, water levels in Pivsko Lake have receded by approximately 30 vertical meters. This drop has exposed the remains of homes, mills, and paths that were submerged over 50 years ago when the dam was constructed. 

The drought has also impacted major waterways, with biologist Vuk Iković reporting that parts of the Morača River bed are now completely dry. Iković warns that rising water temperatures and dropping oxygen levels pose a lethal threat to aquatic life. He attributes the crisis to a combination of climate factors and human activities, specifically unsustainable deforestation and poor resource management. In response to the scarcity, the Podgorica Waterworks has issued appeals for rational water consumption.

## Claims

- The A-1 highway section between Kakanj and Lašva is closed to all vehicles, with traffic diverted to the opposite side of the highway. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Golubinja–Nemila section of the A-1 highway is closed due to construction on the Nemila–Vranduk sub-section, diverting traffic to the M-17 road. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Traffic is slowed at the entrance to the Klopče tunnel on the A-1 highway due to retaining wall repairs. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- On the Brčko–Bijeljina highway, traffic is diverted via a temporary bypass for vehicles under 3.5 tons, while heavier vehicles must pass through Velika Obarska due to bridge expansion works. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Traffic on the Dobro Polje–Miljevina and Jablanica–Blidinje roads is restricted to vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tons. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Traffic is slowed on the M-5 Izačić–Bihać road in Papari from 07:00 to 17:00 daily, except Sundays, due to repair works. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Construction of pedestrian paths is causing alternating one-lane traffic on several roads, including Skokovi–Srbljani and Široki Brijeg–Posušje. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Traffic is suspended on the Šamac–Modriča highway in Crkvina due to a traffic accident. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-05: Traffic disruptions reported across Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro

Drivers in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro face widespread traffic disruptions caused by road construction, landslides, bridge reconstruction, and reduced visibility from fog.

14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montenegro-rivers-face-ecological-crisis-due-to-severe-drought

### 2026-09-11: Plužine: Submerged ruins emerge from Pivsko Lake due to drought

Drought conditions have caused Pivsko Lake in Montenegro to recede, exposing the remains of homes and settlements submerged over 50 years ago during the lake's creation.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pluine-submerged-ruins-emerge-from-pivsko-lake-due-to-drought

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Cite as: Montenegro drought and water scarcity crisis. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/montenegro-drought-and-water-scarcity-crisis