The storm brought damage to horticultural crops

Heavy weather has caused significant damage to vegetable crops across several regions, according to reports from local media outlets. The storm, which hit northern parts of the country yesterday, brought heavy rain and strong winds that toppled trees and destroyed crops. Farmers near Virovitica were particularly affected, with extensive damage reported on eggplant, pumpkin, and muskmelon fields. The extent of the damage remains unclear, but some farmers have already declared their growing season ruined. Marijan Podnar from Lipovca described the situation as devastating, noting that the loss of harvests will likely affect the entire agricultural year. The storm also impacted infrastructure, with reports of damaged roofs and fallen trees. In Orahovica, a school's roof was partially collapsed, leaving the building uninhabitable and making repairs more difficult. Darko Šramek, who oversees emergency services in the area, explained that the wind had shifted part of the roof to the other side, affecting approximately 80 to 100 square meters of the structure. The incident highlights the broader impact of severe weather on both rural and urban environments, with local authorities working to assess and address the damage. In the city of Zagreb, the effects of the storm were equally severe. At the end of March, the city experienced a powerful storm that caused widespread material damage. Roofs were torn off, hundreds of trees were uprooted, and schools had to cancel classes. Even cemeteries on Mirogoj were affected, with tombstones displaced or broken. Three months later, the aftermath is still visible, with parks and forests in the north of the city left in disarray. Local residents, including a father and his child, expressed shock at the state of these once-pristine areas during a recent walk in the Zelengaj forest near Tuškanca. Tomo, a concerned parent, shared his experience of visiting the park with his son, describing the scene as alarming. He noted that trees were leaning dangerously over steps, posing potential hazards, while branches lay scattered along paths. His frustration was evident as he questioned why authorities had not acted sooner. Similar sentiments were echoed in nearby Jelenovca, where although conditions were slightly better, some trees remained blocking the way for pedestrians. The emotional toll of such destruction is clear, with many expressing sadness over the loss of natural beauty and recreational spaces. Emergency services have been actively responding to the damage, conducting interventions to remove fallen trees and repair structures. In Istria, fire department officials reported that while the storm primarily affected the central region, the most intense rainfall occurred around Rovinj. Despite the severity of the weather, there were no major casualties, though the number of incidents requiring intervention was notable. Officials from the Varaždin County and Ludbreg region also confirmed ongoing efforts to assess and mitigate the damage. As the full scale of the disaster becomes clearer, local authorities continue to inspect affected areas and plan for recovery. While immediate action has focused on safety and basic repairs, longer-term strategies for rebuilding and preventing future damage remain under discussion. The incident underscores the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, raising concerns about the resilience of communities and infrastructure in the face of climate change. For now, the focus remains on restoring normalcy and supporting those whose livelihoods and lives have been disrupted by the storm.