Serbia is battling 45 active open-space fires across 23 local self-government areas as prolonged hot and dry weather continues to put pressure on the country’s emergency services, the Serbian government said Monday.

According to a report submitted to the Operational Team of the state Emergency Response Team, the most serious situation is in the Deliblato Sands, where the fire has spread across more than 3,500 hectares.

Another major challenge is being faced on Mount Stolovi near Kraljevo, where firefighting operations have been hampered by extremely rugged and inaccessible terrain.

Fire and rescue teams from the Emergency Situations Sector, together with personnel from other relevant authorities, continued efforts to contain and extinguish the fires in the Deliblato Sands. Strong winds and difficult terrain have complicated the operation.

More than 330 personnel from various services are currently involved in firefighting operations in the area.

Serbia’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Dragan Glamočić and Minister of Environmental Protection Sara Pavkov visited the Deliblato Sands on Monday to assess the situation and ongoing response efforts.

The government also warned of falling water levels along the Danube as Serbia continues to experience drought, high temperatures and prolonged unfavorable weather conditions.

Water levels near Bezdan and Bogojevo have been declining, with Serbia’s Hydrometeorological Service forecasting a further decrease in the coming days.

Despite the worsening conditions, authorities said the country’s water supply remains generally stable, with only isolated local disruptions reported. No water restrictions are currently in place across most of Serbia.

The electricity supply is also reported to be stable, while authorities are closely monitoring river levels and wildfire developments to protect critical energy infrastructure.

Serbian authorities are also monitoring developments along the Danube following Hungary’s decision to begin damming part of the river to divert water toward the cooling system of the Paks nuclear power plant.

Officials are assessing whether the changes could affect water levels on the Serbian section of the Danube, as well as navigation and the transportation of goods along the waterway.

Authorities said monitoring efforts would continue as Serbia faces the combined challenges of extreme heat, drought, falling river levels and widespread wildfires. (ILKHA)