Vucevic: No major problems expected with water levels in Serbia

BELGRADE - Serbian PM Milos Vucevic said on Monday the authorities were watching closely the situation regarding the water levels of rivers in central Europe and that water levels in Serbia were expected to peak between September 24 and 26.

Speaking after a session of the national headquarters for emergencies, Vucevic said he did not expect dramatic situations and that there was no place for panic.

"The Srbijavode and Vojvodinavode estimate is that the peak will last for seven days. Let me remind you: in 2013, when the water levels of the Danube were higher - which was the last time the Danube water level was higher in our country - the peak lasted for 14 days. This is a slightly shorter peak, which should suggest that we should not expect major problems," Vucevic said.

"Regarding the period of drought that is behind us - almost two and a half months without rainfall and lowered hydropower generation capacities - the advantage now is that the increased inflow of water will be beneficial. But what remains for us to do is to watch developments closely, above all, in the upper stream of the Danube River, at the entrance to our country," Vucevic said.

He said the water levels of the Danube would be slightly higher and that the situation regarding the Sava River would be somewhat more challenging near Sabac, but noted that the situation should not be a threat to normal life.

"So, we expect no threat to property or human lives," Vucevic concluded.