The storm that caught the Tetovo region resulted in several casualties. The police confirmed that a minor from Golema Rechica has drowned in the torrent coming from the mountainside, while playing in the yard of the house. Four people died in the landfall caused by erosion of the soil, in the village of Shipkovica.
The surge of water paired with strong winds destroyed several bridges and caused the blocking of several important roads, including the motor way Tetovo – Jazhince. Several villages have been completely cut off.
Most severely affected are the homes along the river Pena which has overflowed its banks in the lower part of Tetovo, carrying with it debris, dumpsters, trees, roof tiles. Several homes have been submerged under water.
– This is a catastrophe, we suffered great damages. The entire house is under water. Everything happened in fifteen minutes. Suddenly, the river Pena exited from its bank – said a resident of Tetovo who lives nearby the river.
Residents of the city say the authorities do not clean the river channels often, which has resulted in their flowing over the banks.
– We notified the authorities to clean up the bank of Pena, but all in vain. The water lever is always at a critical notch, but the Municipality doesn’t hear us. This is why this had happened- said a lady from Tetovo.
From the Office for crisis management they say that the deposits of mud, stones and trees are being cleaned up with ten machines. They will continue with the clean up during the night.
