Serbia appeals to India for help after massive floods

“So far, 33 persons have died though we still do not have the official toll.

“But for a country with a population of just about 7.2 million, it is still a big number. A total of 31,879 people have been displaced, 1,763 facilities destroyed or damaged and 2,260 facilities inundated,” he said.

Officials at the Serbian Embassy said that the floods hit 39 municipalities and 1,643,832 inhabitants, triggered a massive power crisis, and is causing a loss of USD 1.3 million daily to the country.

“The capacity of the Nikola Tesla power plant at Obrenovac, the largest in the country, had to be cut by over 40 per cent, plunging the country into a huge power crisis,” he said.

Talking about the help pouring in, he said, “We have received relief and rescue material from our neighbours and other European nations such as Italy, Austria, Germany.

The US Embassy in Belgrade has also given aid to us and Russia has provided two aircraft and a special training unit to extend relief and humanitarian aid,” Mirilovic said.  Serbia is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe.