Serbia And Bosnia-Herzegovina Floods Leave At Least 34 Dead And Tens Of Thousands Displaced [PHOTOS]

Historic flooding in the Balkans forced people from their homes on Sunday, submerging large parts of Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Tens of thousands were evacuated from their homes and relocated to sports centers, schools and relatives’ homes after floodwaters consumed towns and cities throughout Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia. In Bosnia-Herzegovina, approximately 50,000 are without safe water or electricity, according to the Red Cross, and in Serbia those numbers could be as high as 300,000.

Despite flood waters receding in some areas, Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina continued to brace for more flooding on Monday as waters continued to rise from the Sava River and two other rivers, threatening the region.

In addition to flooding concerns, landslides have proven to complicate relief efforts. Reports of buried land mines shifting with the floodwaters and landslides have also been a cause for concern, potentially endangering workers and local residents, said the Red Cross.

The floodwaters have also threatened the Nikola Tesla coal power plant in Obrenovac, Serbia, which supplies half the electricity of Serbia and the capital city, Belgrade.

While Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina continue to deal with flooding throughout the region, officials expect the economic impact of the flooding to be devastating, especially to the agricultural and mining sector.

Flooding on May 16 has already caused significant damage.

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić told Reuters Friday that fires and flooding of mines have caused at least 100 million euros ($137 million) in damage at the Kolubara coal power plant, southwest of Belgrade.

At least 17 have died as a result of the flooding and 17 more in Bosnia, with the death toll expected to rise as floodwaters begin to recede, according to the Associated Press.

Despite the difficulties faced by search teams and stranded residents, rescue and relief efforts continue as Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina deal with the aftermath of the worst flooding and rainfall the Balkans have faced in over a century.