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At least two people have died as torrential rain swept through northern and western Slovenia, causing flooding, power outages and traffic disruptions. As of this morning, flooding continues in some areas of Slovenia. Torrential rains have caused rising river levels and widespread flooding in many areas, with northern and western regions hardest hit. Authorities reported three deaths as a result of flooding in the towns of Kranj and Kramnik in northern Slovenia. Authorities carried out evacuations in Celje and Skofja Loke, and emergency services responded to thousands of calls for help from people affected by the flooding in the affected areas. Flooding and landslides made many roads impassable in the affected areas, including sections of the A1 motorway between Ljubljana and Maribor. The railway connection was also severely disrupted. Although flights are still operating at Ljubljana Airport, the airport administration said blocked roads in the region are making access to the airport difficult and there are some flight delays. At least 16,000 people were left without power in the affected parts of the country, and hundreds of homes were submerged by floodwaters. Rescuers had difficulty reaching flooded areas and asked the public to offer rubber boats in areas where roads were closed and impassable due to landslides. Helicopters evacuated people from their homes in the town of Skofja Loka, where cars and trucks were flooded or swept away by the current. Slovenia's Environmental Protection Agency is forecasting further heavy rain for much of the country until at least next week. A red warning for heavy rain has been issued in the central, northeastern, northwestern and southwestern regions, and an orange warning for heavy rain has been issued in the southwest. regions Officials may update and possibly expand the coverage of weather warnings in the coming hours and days. Further prolonged heavy rain may cause additional flooding in low-lying communities near rivers, creeks and streams. It is also possible to flood cities in settlements where stormwater easily overflows. Areas downstream of large reservoirs or rivers may experience flash flooding after relatively short periods of heavy rain. Landslides are possible in hilly or mountainous areas, especially where heavy rain has soaked the soil. Power outages may occur throughout the affected area. Flooding and mudslides can make some bridges, rail networks or roads impassable, making it difficult to travel on land and around affected areas. Traffic jams can lead to dangerous driving conditions on regional highways. Authorities may temporarily close some low-lying routes inundated by flood waters. Severe weather conditions may also cause flight delays and cancellations at airports in affected areas. Flooding may block regional rail lines; In areas with heavy rains and possible road flooding, delays and cancellations of freight and passenger trains are possible. In the lowlands, local failures are possible; some businesses may not be operating at full capacity due to flood damage to facilities, possible evacuations and the inability of some workers to reach their workplaces. “We haven't seen such floods for 500 years, but 1,000 years,“ Roman Kočilija, head of the rescue service in the village of Most pri Komendi, told the Slovenian TV channel. He added that the water level reached 2 meters. Almost all regional roads in the north of the country, as well as some railway tracks, were closed, and about 16 thousand households remained without electricity. According to Defense Minister Maryan Sharek, the army was ready to turn around to help. He urged citizens to stay at home in the city of Kamnyk, where the authorities declared a state of emergency and closed kindergartens. The authorities advise to follow the news about the condition of the roads and the weather in the local media. Check road conditions and find alternative routes to reach destinations in affected areas, this will allow extra travel time. Delivery disruptions are possible, consider delaying or rerouting your delivery until the access road is restored. Do not drive on flooded roads. Charge battery-powered devices during extended power outages.
