Serbia on Tuesday appealed to the Narendra Modi-led Indian government to help in its efforts to rebuild the country after it was ravaged by its worst floods in over a century.
"We've been hit by a disaster of unprecedented magnitude due to incessant rain that deposited three months' worth of rain in three days... We would like the Indian government to help us in our efforts at reconstruction as we make an all out effort to come out of this tragedy," Serbian Ambassador to India, Jovan Mirilovic, told PTI.
The catastrophe triggered by the floods led to the declaration of emergency in Serbia from May 15 to May 23 which saw several parts of the European country going under water.
The floods claimed more than 30 lives and displaced over 30,000 people, as per latest estimates.
"We could always count on the support of India as our great friend and sincerely hope that this time, too, India will hear our appeal and support our country and people," Mirilovic said.
He also appealed to corporates and individuals to make financial contributions towards the relief of flood victims.
"So far, 33 persons have died though we still do not have the official toll.
"But for a country with a population of just about 7.2 million, it is still a big number. A total of 31,879 people have been displaced, 1,763 facilities destroyed or damaged and 2,260 facilities inundated," he said.
Officials at the Serbian Embassy said that the floods hit 39 municipalities and 1,643,832 inhabitants, triggered a massive power crisis, and is causing a loss of USD 1.3 million daily to the country.
"The capacity of the Nikola Tesla power plant at Obrenovac, the largest in the country, had to be cut by over 40 per cent, plunging the country into a huge power crisis," he said.
Talking about the help pouring in, he said, "We have received relief and rescue material from our neighbours and other European nations such as Italy, Austria, Germany. The US Embassy in Belgrade has also given aid to us and Russia has provided two aircraft and a special training unit to extend relief and humanitarian aid," Mirilovic said.
Serbia is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe.
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