Villages around Bitola completely under water

The storm engulfed the closest villages around Bitola that are now completely flooded. In Kravari, Optichari, Poeshevo, Logovardi, Dolno Orizari, Karamani and Trn, residents enter their homes in boots, and some are trapped from the water and cannot come out.
With pumps, all of the owners are trying to reduce the amount of water inside the structures, but the water is still coming. Locals complain that they reported in summer that the channels are buried and the flood is imminent even after the slightest rain.
– We warned for months that this would happen. I can enter my home only with boots, because we are up to our knees in water. This feels like a punishment, we are helpless – says a resident of the village Kravari.
Today, Bitola Crisis Headquarters went out in the field and only confirmed the situation with floods in the villages that are only a mile or two from the city. Machines of municipal enterprises were clearing the channels today. It is also critical in villages Karamani and Trn.
– There were floods in our villages Kravari, Egri, Opshtichari up to Kremenica, we intervene with pumps and the Fire Department of Bitola assisted us. Many villages have also been affected by floods from the other side of Bitola near Kramani and Trn. Crisis Headquarters informed me about a specific situation for the outpouring of river Crna near Loznani. The capacity of river Crna and drains are not enough to accept these results in the field, even in conditions when all of they are cleaned. If there is a need, we are ready to evacuate in these critical villages – says Bitola Mayor Vladimir Taleski.
However the situation is worst in Pelagonija, especially in the municipalities Mogila and Novaci. Minister of Finance Zoran Stavreski was there today and concluded that the situation in this region is serious. Stavreski announced that if it’s necessary, the police and the military will intervene in Pelagonija to minimize consequences.