Croatia closes part of Krka Park for the first time due to flooding
Due to the high water level in the Krka River for the first time in history, some parts of the Krka National Park are closed to visitors, reports the Croatian INDEX.
The water level at Skradinski Beech on May 16 was 254 cm, which is the highest recorded value since measurements were made. Previously, the highest water level before that was recorded on December 7, 2005 and was 223 cm. The lowest water level was recorded on October 3, 1990, it was only 5 cm.
"Due to the high amount of water coming off the trails, our most visited sites, Skradinski Beech and Roški slap, are currently closed to visitors, and boat trips have been suspended," said the director of National Park Krka, J. J. Nella. Slavika.
"Due to the situation, we express our regrets to all those who were unable to visit Skradinska Beech and Roški slap because of the heavy rain, especially the children on school trips, for whom this is by far the biggest disappointment, as well as our partners and agencies. We are all in this situation together and safety must come first," said Slavitsa and added:
«We will know the true condition and possible damage on the land only when the water recedes, but until then we are available for any information. I invite our partners and visitors to go to the upper Krka River and discover all its natural and cultural-historical richness. I promise that no one will be disappointed».
The water regime of the river depends on many factors, such as weather, climate and rainfall. The Krka river basin receives about 1,250 mm of precipitation per year. The greatest amount of precipitation falls during the winter, and summers are very dry. The highest water levels in Krka were recorded in November and March, and the lowest in August.
Because of the high water level in the Krka River, all services in Knin are on alert, but the situation in the area is stable, said Hini, the vice mayor of that city and head of the local civil protection headquarters, Kristina Perich.
River levels are now rising all over Croatia, and Gračac and Obrovac are battling floods these days.
The water levels of the Una, Kupa, and Savva are rising, Karlovac is preparing for floods, and Croatian Kostajnica is preparing for the worst.
In Zagreb, the water level of the Sava is also rising, and the river is close to breaking its banks.