Extreme heat and water shortages have gripped Croatia this summer, with temperatures soaring to record levels and residents struggling to cope with both the sweltering nights and contaminated tap water. The situation has reached a critical point along the Adriatic coast, where dry conditions have heightened fears of wildfires despite constant vigilance by local firefighters. In Split, temperatures climbed to 40 degrees Celsius last week, marking a new high and raising concerns about the long-term effects of climate change. The impact of the heat is felt most acutely during the night, when temperatures remain stubbornly above 30 degrees, making sleep nearly impossible for many. Nada, a 38-year-old resident of Zagreb who visits the islands of Veliki Drvenik and Šolta near Split each year with her family, described the nights as unbearable. “We love the simple life here,” she said while picking figs from a tree outside her home. “But even the sea can’t cool me down anymore.” She explained that while the children could manage the daytime heat, the lack of air conditioning made the nights particularly difficult for her. Water scarcity has compounded the problem. On the islands, where infrastructure is limited, residents rely on water tanks rather than municipal supplies. Tap water has become brackish and undrinkable due to the extreme drought, forcing families to ration their usage carefully. The situation has led to increased anxiety among locals, especially regarding the risk of wildfires. Dry vegetation lining the coastline poses a serious threat, and volunteer firefighters in the small coastal village of Slatine on the island of Ciovo are constantly on alert. Firefighters in Slatine have been working tirelessly, using firefighting aircraft that are always ready for action. These planes draw water directly from the sea and spray it onto potential fire zones. For tourists, the sound of these aircraft engines has become a familiar part of the landscape, almost like music. However, the effectiveness of such measures is being tested as temperatures continue to rise. Firefighters in Slatine have managed to prevent fires on the island of Ciovo so far, but the threat looms large. The environmental crisis extends beyond the immediate dangers of heat and fire. A major scandal involving toxic waste has emerged in the village of Donje Biljane in the Dalmatian hinterlands. Since 2010, a hill known locally as the Black Mountain has been accumulating industrial slag, which has raised concerns about groundwater contamination. Residents have lived under the shadow of this hazardous site for over a decade, with little action taken to address the issue. Environmental groups and concerned citizens have criticized the government for its inaction, pointing out that protected areas are often sold off or fragmented without adequate protest. This pattern of neglect mirrors similar issues faced in other countries, including Germany, where warnings about climate change were initially ignored before some measures were finally implemented. In Croatia, however, the response has been slow, with political leaders failing to take decisive steps to protect natural resources or mitigate the impacts of climate change. Residents of coastal towns and villages are increasingly aware of the need for sustainable practices, yet discussions about alternatives remain minimal. Many feel resigned to the current state of affairs, accepting the consequences of unchecked development and environmental degradation. As the summer progresses, the pressure on local authorities to act grows, with hopes that recent attention to the environmental crisis might lead to meaningful changes. The situation underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to combat climate change and ensure the safety and well-being of communities facing unprecedented challenges.
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