Slovenia's northern and central regions were hit by an unprecedented deluge on August 3-4, 2023, with over 200 mm of rain falling within a mere 12 hours, as reported by the nation's environmental agency, ARSO. This astonishing amount of rainfall exceeds the average precipitation for the entire month of August, underscoring the severity of the event.

The torrential rain triggered a series of river overflows, most notably the Savinja River in Celje, forcing approximately 4,000 residents to evacuate from their homes. The scale of the disaster prompted a massive response from authorities and emergency services.

The Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief revealed that over 1,000 weather-related incidents were documented across the country during the 12-hour period. In a race against time, police, firefighters, military personnel, and civil protection teams collaborated to rescue individuals stranded in the floodwaters, primarily in the Upper Carniola and Carinthia Regions.

The aftermath of the deluge revealed extensive infrastructure damage, with several road sections rendered impassable and bridges destroyed in key areas such as Celje, Nova Gorica, Kranj, Ljubljana, Maribor, and Murska Sobota. Furthermore, around 16,000 households experienced disrupted power supply due to the storm's impact.

Tragically, the catastrophic weather event resulted in loss of life. Slovenia police confirmed the death of an individual in the town of Kamnik, where flooding was a contributing factor. The exact cause of death is pending confirmation. Additionally, two Dutch citizens were reported missing during the chaos and were later found deceased near the mountain resort town of Bled. It is believed that the hikers were struck by lightning while trekking through the mountains.

The widespread devastation caused by the heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding underscores the need for immediate relief efforts and highlights the vulnerability of regions unaccustomed to such extreme weather events. As Slovenia grapples with the aftermath, rescue and recovery operations remain ongoing to assist those affected by the disaster.