Slovenia was devastated by flooding in 2023 - how is it preparing for extreme rain in the future?

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There are 250 active sites along water courses across Slovenia, where huge trucks and excavators work to build up weirs, widen riverbanks and raise embankments. Work has already finished on more than 700 other similar sites.

At the spot we visit, near the town of Kamnik, Kodre explains the plan: "We are establishing the basic flow of the riverbed by removing material. At the same time, we relocated the embankment, thereby giving space to the river."

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Different approaches to adapt to flash flooding are applied in different parts of Slovenia. Upstream, in the mountain torrents, systems are installed to trap heavy branches and trees before they can do damage to buildings.

In the city, there are a range of solutions in place. In dense urban areas, the best fix is to raise river embankment walls to well beyond the height of a 500-year return period flood.

In other areas along the Gradaščica river there is enough room to dig a wider riverbed, to preserve the trees, and slow down the water. This is what's known as a 'nature-based' solution, and although it costs less to implement and looks better for local residents and visitors, it does require regular upkeep.

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