Slovenia floods: Damage caused by ‘worst-ever disaster’ due to poor spatial planning, research shows

Government adopts changes to Natural Disaster Recovery Act to expedite relief, remedial actions

The ongoing floods in Slovenia is the worst natural disaster the country has experienced since its independence in 1991, said Prime Minister Robert Golob at a press conference August 4, 2023. This means that the floods are worse than those that occured in 1998 and 2004, which caused widespread destruction.

The country recorded more than 200 millimetres of rain within 12 hours from August 3-4, 2023, according to meteorologist Brane Gregorcic from Slovenia’s environmental agency ARSO. “The weather station at the Brnik Airport has never before recorded such a quantity of rain within 12 hours,” he noted. This is more than these areas would normally see during the whole of August. 

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If we do not take measures with more suitable policies for spatial planning, we will no longer have the possibility in future to reduce the negative consequences of floods, the authors of the study warned.

European countries including Slovenia would potentially have to spend a significant share of their current gross domestic product to abate the future impacts from flooding in view of socio-economic and climate changes, a study of the socio-economic impacts of river floods in the European Union in view of climate and socio-economic changes stated. 

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Natural Disaster Recovery Act amended

Through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, Slovenia had asked for assistance in machinery for debris removal and for the provision of road transportability.

Devastation caused by colossal floods in Slovenia is heartbreaking, said Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EU Commission. “The EU is by the side of the Slovenian people. We will mobilise support as needed,” she posted on X. 

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