One of Bosnia's largest lakes, Lake Jablanicko, currently has boats stranded on dry land after months of drought have emptied it.
"The climate has certainly changed, but this is scary!" Kuljanin, 68, told AFP near the lake's receding shores in southern Bosnia.
For years, the village of Ostrozac, where Kuljanin resides, benefited from tourists drawn to the stunning emerald waters of Lake Jablanicko. However, this year’s lack of rainfall has drastically reduced water levels, leaving the area unrecognizable.
Typically, as summer ends, water from the 30-kilometer-long (18-mile) lake is released to prepare for the influx of autumn rains. However, this year has been different. "The water levels used to fluctuate a bit; they’d drop and then rise again. But now, I can’t understand what’s happening," Kuljanin added.
Despite being one of Europe’s poorer nations, Bosnia has always been abundant in freshwater resources. According to the World Bank, Bosnia has access to nearly 10 cubic meters (350 cubic feet) of renewable freshwater per person annually. The country’s rugged landscape is crisscrossed by some of Europe’s most unspoiled rivers, making it a haven for outdoor activities like rafting and kayaking.
This year’s severe drought, however, has upset this natural balance. The drought has been truly catastrophic," Kuljanin lamented. In some areas upstream, the lake has completely dried out.
The situation has also disrupted operations at a nearby power plant, which depends on the lake's dam for energy generation.
Impacts on power and infrastructure
Fahrudin Tanovic, an executive at Elektroprivreda BiH, a public electricity company, described the year to AFP as particularly challenging for power production: "As last winter there was no snow, the inflow of water into the lake in spring was perhaps at the lowest level since its existence," he explained.
Although Bosnia’s electricity is primarily generated by thermal power plants, which account for 55–70 percent of the energy supply, hydroelectric facilities play a significant role in producing the remainder. Solar and wind energy contribute just four percent to the country’s electricity needs. The drought has strained hydroelectric production and made the surrounding areas more prone to landslides as the dry soil becomes unstable.
In October, the Jablanica region faced devastating consequences from sudden heavy rains. At least 27 people lost their lives in floods and landslides triggered by the unexpected deluge.
