A worsening drought has forced emergency measures on Serbia’s Suva Planina, or “Dry Mountain,” where more than 1,000 cows and horses were left without water after natural springs dried up weeks earlier than usual.

Local authorities responded by deploying water tankers to the highland plateau, located at an altitude of about 1,200 meters. Crews pumped water into a makeshift pond using long hoses to hydrate the desperate livestock, which graze freely in the remote mountainous region during the summer months.

“We usually face water shortages here in August,” said Goran Djordjevic, head of Serbia’s state emergency office. “But this year, the springs dried out by mid-July. We had to act quickly.”

Drought Across the Balkans

The crisis in Serbia reflects a broader climate emergency across the Western Balkans, including Bosnia, Croatia, Albania, and Kosovo all grappling with soaring temperatures and prolonged dry spells.

In Bosnia, officials reported that June may have been the driest month on record, severely damaging crops and accelerating river depletion.

Croatia imposed emergency measures in border regions due to agricultural stress.

Albania and Kosovo are dealing with water shortages that have impacted electricity production, largely dependent on hydropower.

The European Union’s climate monitoring agency has linked the intensifying heatwaves and recurring droughts to climate change. Globally, 2024 was the hottest year on record, setting the stage for an extremely volatile summer in 2025.

Rural Vulnerability and Agricultural Losses

In Serbia, the consequences extend beyond livestock. Farmers are reporting widespread crop failure, especially in cornfields, and warn that even if rainfall returns, it may come too late to salvage this year’s yields.

Experts note that Serbia’s underdeveloped irrigation infrastructure leaves rural communities dangerously exposed to weather extremes.

Neighboring Hungary has launched a dedicated “drought task force” to combat agricultural and economic losses caused by the heat.

A Brief Respite, but New Heat Looms

Though the immediate crisis on Suva Planina has eased with water now temporarily restored to livestock officials are concerned about an approaching new heatwave that could further strain already-depleted water supplies.

The unfolding situation serves as a stark reminder of how climate change is reshaping life in the Balkans threatening traditional farming practices, livestock survival, and long-term food security in the region.