Croatia: Dubrovnik Recovers After Flooding

Dubrovnik mayor Andro Vlahusic said that the initial estimates of the damages are high enough to declare the event a natural disaster and ask for help from state bodies.

Hours of torrential downpour, which dropped 130 litres of water per square meter in the city, flooded almost all of the shops and houses on the town's main streets.

High water brought traffic in many areas of the town to a standstill, while strong winds suspended all ship line operations. Some parts of the city also experienced temporary power shortages, Croatian daily Jutarnji List writes.

Vlahusic said that it may take several days to fully asses the flood damage.

He explained that the town was not prepared for the heavy rainfall it witnessed because of an inefficient drainage system.

The mayor added that the town plans to invest 20 million kunas (€2.7 million) over the next three years for system improvements.