Situation in Gornji Milanovac due to severe drought and poor hydrological conditions is becoming increasingly dire. Villages like Pranjani are facing a major water crisis, with many households lacking drinking water. Local residents are doing their best to cope, but they are unsure of how long they can endure these conditions. Such a severe drought has not been seen in the area before.
The president of the local community of Pranjani, Radovin Veselinović, has stated that the situation is very difficult in their village. Not only are the taps dry, but the springs are also drying up. Out of the 15 springs in Pranjani, half have already dried up. Residents are helping each other by sharing water, showing great solidarity in these challenging times. Rivers like Čemernica and Kamenica are at historically low levels.
Due to the significant problems with water supply, a state of emergency has been declared in the entire municipality of Gornji Milanovac. Water sources in the area are nearly dry, with a drastic decrease in water flow from key sources. The Banjani water source, which supplies the most water to the region and hosts a water treatment plant, normally provides 120 liters of water per second, but now it only produces 20 liters per second. The municipality’s daily water consumption is around 200 liters per second, meaning that they currently have only half of the required amount.
The Serbian Army has been assisting in delivering water to the villages of Gornji Milanovac since the middle of last month. Now, with the decision of the Municipal Emergency Situations Headquarters, additional help has been requested to ensure that the most vulnerable villages have access to drinking water on a daily basis. Water restrictions have already been implemented, with some areas experiencing twelve-hour water cuts every 48 hours. In the outskirts of the municipality, residents have gone without water for up to two or three days. Efforts have been made to provide water to villages like Grabovica, which is located at a higher altitude and faces challenges in getting sufficient water supply.
The situation in Gornji Milanovac serves as a stark reminder of the importance of water conservation and sustainable water management practices. Without immediate action and long-term solutions, the region faces the risk of further water scarcity and environmental challenges. It is essential for authorities, residents, and stakeholders to work together to address the current crisis and prevent similar situations in the future.
