Drought threatens livestock and livelihoods in Serbia

DW (English)

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.

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