Dry faucets, yellowed meadows in the mountainous areas of Žabljak and Sinjavina, and dried-up springs are the result of a huge deficit of precipitation in the whole of Montenegro since March, as well as tropical temperatures this summer.
The extent of the drought is best evidenced by the fact that some springs on Sinjavina have dried up, so cattle herders are forced to bring water on horses from distant areas. They say - they are managing, there is no grass for cattle grazing, it has burned, so hay is already being given, this is the situation in Žabljak, and the last heavy rain fell in Nikšić on April 14.
Danilovgrad has not experienced a drought like this in the last ten years, and some rural areas are without water for days, because there is simply not enough in the system.
They also have a problem in the area of Lješanska nahija in Podgorica, where, as "Vijesti" wrote, there are measures in force according to which villages do not have water for one day at a time.
As the meteorologist explains Branko Micev, January was extremely rainy, followed by February with a surplus of precipitation in some places, and after that, from March to August, there was a large deficit of precipitation.
"In the area of Nikšić in the period March-August, only 44 percent of the climatic norm fell, which means that the water deficit amounts to about 430 cubic meters. So much water is missing in every square kilometer. This means that the deficit is 000 percent," says Micev.
He pointed out that in the town under Trebjes, over 20 liters fell in 24 hours, which is considered heavy rain, on April 14.
"From April 24 to today, there were only three days in the area of Nikšić where the rain exceeded 0,1 liters per square kilometer. And only four days in which the daily amount exceeded ten liters per square kilometer. It is similar in other cities, in the area of Podgorica, the period May-July was extremely dry, the precipitation deficit was as much as 60 percent, that is, it fell only 40 percent of the climatic norm. In the area of Žabljak, in the period from May to today, a large precipitation deficit was created, in April there was a small surplus, because there were a couple of rainy days. In the area of Cetinje in May, June, July, only 38 percent of the climatic norm was achieved. And if we take this data, Cetinje lacks about 200 cubic meters of water per square kilometer for those three months. In the north of Montenegro, in Kolašin, Bijelo Polje, there is a large precipitation deficit in the period of May, June and July. "In Bijelo Polje, only 000 percent of the climatic norm was achieved, in Kolašin 49", said Micev.
As he pointed out, the large deficit for the period June, July, August is also characterized by the fact that it is accompanied by high temperatures, which are record high in some areas.
"And that combination creates conditions for fires, it affects hydrological conditions, we have an imbalance. I can't say if it will be a record dry year, August is still in progress, we will see later. In Žabljak, this year is the second warmest in the last 60 years, there were several consecutive tropical days. "Records were broken on certain days in Podgorica, but mostly in Žabljak as far as temperatures are concerned," Micev said.
Executive director of "Vodovoda" in Danilovgrad Predrag Kalezić he said that there was an unprecedented drought in the area of that municipality this year, which has not happened in the last ten years.
"The last ten years have not seen a drought like this. We have a big problem in rural areas, there is little water supply. In Martinići, at Prenta's Head, there is little inflow to the Žarića pit, so the pump cannot function, currently it can for an hour and a half a day, so the pipes are half empty. Water consumption is high, the pressure has weakened and the supply of water from the Slatina source is at a minimum," says Kalezić.
The reason for this, he claims, is drought, irrational and illegal consumption, but also immigration.
"People cannot understand that water is a resource for the future, which we must treat much better. We visit the grounds every day, reminding them not to waste water. There is a large immigration in the area of Martnić. I understand those people, an hour without water is a long time. We will carry out new research in that area, see if we can build new wells, in order to solve this problem for a longer period. For now, it will not be resolved in the near future, when the first rains fall, the situation will be much more favorable, this irrational consumption would be reduced".
Rain in the north maybe already from tomorrow
As Micev announced for today in the afternoon in the north and in the direction of the central areas, the development of local cloudiness is expected, with chances of rain, and mainly precipitation will be in the north.
"On Wednesday, temporary instability is expected in the north, in the central areas, as was the case on August 11, short-term showers, possible occurrence of hail, a temperature drop of four to five degrees in the south and in the central areas, five to eight in the north", Micev said.
From August 19, as he pointed out, it is expected to be mostly sunny, the temperature will rise, and it will be very warm again during the weekend.
"Temperatures in the hottest areas will reach 38 degrees Celsius".
Mitsev predicts a strong northerly wind for Wednesday afternoon and during the night.
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