Severe snowstorms have caused widespread disruptions in Bosanski Petrovac and Gradacac, prompting local authorities to declare states of emergency as both municipalities grapple with the challenges brought by intense snowfall.

Over 80 centimetres of snow have effectively cut Bosanski Petrovac off from the rest of the Una-Sana Canton, rendering the road connections to Bihac, Bosanski Petrovac, and Kljuc nearly impassable. Continuous snowfall has hampered efforts to clear local roads, leaving the town in a critical situation.

Responding to the crisis, local businesses have stepped up, providing personnel and machinery to aid in clearing the streets. However, the municipality faces an even graver threat of a total financial blockade starting January 1, 2025, due to the failure to constitute the Municipal Council and adopt a provisional financing decision.

Without these measures, essential services such as road maintenance, public lighting, social benefits, employee salaries, and aid to the Red Cross will be severely impacted.

Mayor Mahmut Jukic has appealed to councillors to act swiftly. “With the declaration of a state of emergency due to the heavy snowfall, it is imperative to adopt temporary financing measures to avoid complete financial paralysis,” he stated.

In Gradacac, where the snow cover has reached 50 centimetres in some areas, local authorities have also declared a natural disaster. The heavy snowfall, compounded by strong winds, has caused significant disruptions to road networks, water supply, and electricity. Approximately half of the population remains without power or water, and mobile phone services have been heavily compromised.

The city’s civil protection headquarters convened an emergency session, deciding to enlist companies from other cities to assist with snow removal and to address the power and water supply issues. Around 70% of the roads are now passable, thanks to constant efforts by city services. However, work is ongoing to restore normal conditions, as snowfall continues unabated.

In addition to these challenges, schools in Gradacac have suspended classes for two days due to power outages, leaving classrooms without heating. Workers from Elektroprivreda BiH in Gradacac are working tirelessly to repair the power grid, but severe weather conditions are hindering progress.

As both municipalities struggle under the weight of this unprecedented snowfall, local authorities, businesses, and emergency services remain committed to restoring normalcy and ensuring the safety of their residents.