Drought threatens livestock and livelihoods in Serbia
This summer, scorching temperatures and a lack of rain are creating serious challenges across Serbia. After the death of livestock on a mountain in the southeast of the country, farmers are struggling to protect cows and horses in the area.
Transcript
00:00These animals have gathered at the only watering place on Suva Planina mountain in southeastern Serbia.
00:11But there is no water.
00:14A severe drought has struck parts of the country this summer,
00:17and this mountain region has been particularly badly affected,
00:21making the cows and horses here vulnerable.
00:25Daniel Velkovic is a cattle farmer.
00:28He arrives with a tanker of water.
00:31Among the cattle here are 12 of his own animals.
00:55Leaving this place is a state of alarm.
01:00Death is imminent.
01:24So many more might have perished already on other parts of the mountain.
01:39Surrounding municipalities and the military are currently sending water tankers several times a day.
01:45Two years ago, the government promised to drill a well as a permanent solution,
01:50but so far, nothing has been done.
01:53Local authorities warn that the problem is getting worse each year,
01:56as droughts intensify and the number of livestock continues to grow.
02:23In the past, droughts like this occurred once every decade.
02:27Now, they're an annual occurrence.
02:54Ana Vukovic-Vimic says that rainfall patterns have changed.
02:58There are fewer days with moderate beneficial rain,
03:01and more days with heavy downpours, which cause flooding.
03:05That's why Daniel will have to make several more trips today
03:09to fill the tanker and bring water to his livestock.
03:24This is the harsh reality that farmers and their livestock now face
03:28in the rugged terrain of Suva Planina.
03:31As experts warn that the situation could get worse,
03:34solutions are urgently needed.