Severe Floods Hit Rijeka After Torrential Rainfall

The news in Croatian

1. poplava  (f.)
   Velika količina vode koja izlije na površinu zemlje i uzrokuje štetu. ↩︎
2. zatvoren
   Ne može se proći ili ući; onemogućeno za prolaz. ↩︎
3. garaža  (f.)
   Mjesto ili zgrada gdje se drže automobili ili druga vozila. ↩︎
4. poplaviti
   Preplaviti mjesto ili stvar vodom tako da bude pod vodom. ↩︎
5. oštetiti
   Nanesena šteta ili kvar nekome ili nečemu. ↩︎
6. djelatnik  (m.)
   Osoba koja radi za neku organizaciju ili tvrtku. ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: What actions are the city workers taking in Rijeka?

Question 2: Why are people in Rijeka warned to be careful?

Vocabulary

Croatian	English
poplava  (f.)	flood
zatvoren	closed
garaža  (f.)	garage
poplaviti	flooded
oštetiti	damaged
djelatnik  (m.)	employees

Read the full story

This week, the city of Rijeka in Croatia was the site of severe flooding, following a torrential downpour that brought nearly 100 litres of rain per square metre in only a few hours. The deluge led to significant disruptions across the city, affecting roads, buildings, and daily life.

The extreme weather caused torrents of water to flood city streets, rendering many roads impassable. Particularly affected were areas like Cambierijeva Street, the Zamet district, and the underpass at Kantrida. These conditions were further complicated as debris, including soil and stones, was washed away from construction sites, damaging vehicles and blocking traffic.

Emergency services were inundated with calls from residents facing flooded basements, garages, and lower-level homes. In response, the Rijeka Fire Brigade was deployed throughout the city on more than 60 occasions to assist with pumping water and clearing debris.

The city’s drainage systems struggled to handle the heavy water flow, leading to further chaos as manhole covers were dislodged by the force of the water. As a precaution, several key roads, including those leading towards Opatija and the main boulevard intersections, were temporarily closed.

Locals have expressed frustration, pointing to longstanding issues with drainage maintenance and urban planning. Many residents argue that this is not just a problem caused by heavy rain, but also by inadequate infrastructure management, citing poor upkeep of drains and over-concretization of the city as contributing factors to the recurrent flooding.

Adding to the city’s woes, the Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service (DHMZ) issued a red weather warning across several coastal regions including Rijeka, due to the potential for further severe weather conditions. Meanwhile, Civil Protection units remain on high alert as additional rainfall is anticipated.

The situation in Rijeka has caught the attention of local media, who shared videos depicting nearly submerged cars and swirling floodwaters dominating city streets. Many citizens turned to social media to express their concerns, some humourously comparing the city to Venice due to the waterlogged conditions.

As emergency crews work to restore normalcy, the municipal authorities have emphasized that all available resources are being mobilized to mitigate the impact of the continuing rainfall. Residents are advised to heed safety warnings and take necessary precautions while the threat of additional rain looms over the region.

This extreme weather event highlights the urgent need for improved urban planning and infrastructure investment, crucial for protecting Rijeka’s communities against recurrent flooding challenges.

Info: “Croatian Learner News” is a service from “Let’s Learn Croatian”, a dedicated language school offering a variety of online courses. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to improve your skills, our Croatian language classes are designed to meet diverse learning needs.