The recent floods in Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly in the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, have raised serious questions about the role of human activity in natural disasters. The Cantonal Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation to determine if human negligence played a part in the devastation. Climate change, illegal deforestation, and unsustainable exploitation of natural resources have been identified as significant contributors to such disasters. Experts now warn that similar risks could threaten other parts of the country, including Sarajevo.

Nusret Drekovic, Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics in Sarajevo, pointed to systemic failures as a key factor in the scale of the disaster. “The system failed as soon as we saw such a loss of life,” he stated. “It failed the moment someone began construction without conducting all necessary analyses. Landslides aren’t uncommon, but there is always a reason behind them. In undisturbed environments, such events are rare. Here, we saw a landslide near a quarry site, where saturated soil gave way, carrying everything in its path.”

Drekovic emphasized that accountability is essential, suggesting that anyone undertaking excavation or construction in mountainous areas should have comprehensive feasibility and environmental impact studies. “If no one is held accountable, it would be devastating, signaling that anyone can dig without oversight. Those in power and those who plan projects are primarily responsible,” he said.

Concerns are also being raised about the potential for similar disasters in other parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Mayor of Sarajevo’s Stari Grad Municipality recently warned of landslide risks due to waste being dumped from Trebevic into the Bistricki stream. Drekovic sees this as a sign that officials are becoming aware of the dangers associated with unchecked development. “Trebevic is a dynamic area with intense construction, and building permits are issued without fully considering these risks. It’s no longer a question of *if* a landslide will occur, but *when* and how severe it will be. A disaster in Sarajevo could be far worse than what happened in Jablanica, Fojnica, and Konjic.”

Drekovic also highlighted the risks associated with construction on Bjelasnica, which has led to a shortage of drinking water. “This puts the area at risk of a major landslide, which could be catastrophic given the dense population of Sarajevo. A similar incident occurred in 1986 after the Olympics when construction debris slid into the area. Now, the situation is much more critical, and it’s a wake-up call for all of us.”

He called for a coordinated approach to managing these risks, emphasizing that local communities cannot handle such challenges alone. “It’s not a question of whether it will happen again, but ‘when.’ We need to be ready to respond. Floods and landslides don’t recognize entity boundaries, and it’s troubling that cooperation between the two entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina is so limited. We need to view the entire watershed as a unified system,” Drekovic urged.

As investigations continue, Drekovic’s warnings serve as a reminder of the urgent need for sustainable development practices and better preparedness for natural disasters. With the effects of climate change becoming increasingly evident, addressing these challenges has become a critical priority for the future safety and stability of the region.