Bottled water scarce in flood-hit areas
Ljubljana, 4 August - The disruptions caused by the heavy rain and flooding that started in Slovenia last night have led to almost a quarter of retail locations in the country having to suspend operations. A number of those operating, particularly in seriously hit areas, are meanwhile reporting of increased demand for bottled water coupled with supply issues.
Kranj
Supermarket shelves stripped dry from water bottles amid severe flash floods that compromised the drinking water system in certain areas.
Photo: Luka Krek/STA
Kamnik
Shoppers empty shelves of bottled water amid severe flash floods that compromised the drinking water system in certain areas.
Photo: Matic Hrabar/STA
Kamnik
Shoppers empty shelves of bottled water amid severe flash floods that compromised the drinking water system in certain areas.
Photo: Matic Hrabar/STA
All of Slovenia's major retail chains have confirmed increased demand for bottled water and almost all have also had supply issues with water and some other items resulting from the severed transport connections.
The retailers, which are calling on consumers to limit their water purchases to amounts really needed, are also trying to direct supplies to areas most in need of water. They have noted the need to protect their drivers and the challenge of coping with less staff in the face of the disruptions.
The Slovenian Chamber of Commerce said it was aware of the gravity of the situation and pledged to do all in its power to keep retailers around the country supplied as normally as possible.
In the face of the circumstances, the chamber has already appealed to the Economy Ministry and to Prime Minister Robert Golob to allow a one-off exception and make it possible for stores to be open this Sunday.
Meanwhile, the lack of drinking water in affected areas is already being tackled with mutual help among locals. Offerings of free drinking water are already making rounds on social networks, for instance in the Koroška region in the north, which is among the areas hit worst.