Floods Expose Systemic Weaknesses in Montenegro’s Infrastructure

Heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding in Montenegro have highlighted significant structural weaknesses in the country’s infrastructure. Dr. Ivana Vojinović, Director of the Centre for Climate Change at the University of Donja Gorica, emphasized that these floods not only reaffirmed the unique geomorphological challenges facing Montenegro, such as its rugged terrain, steep watercourses, and extensive karst hydrology, but also underscored the detrimental effects of human activities.

According to Vojinović, the country’s vulnerability is exacerbated by inadequate spatial planning, construction in flood-prone areas, riverbed degradation, and the accumulation of debris and waste in watercourses. She pointed out that climate change compounds these issues, leading to a long-term increase in flood risk. “We can expect more frequent and intense floods, especially due to the rising occurrence of extreme rainfall in short periods, soil saturation, and changes in snow patterns,” she stated.

Need for Centralized Crisis Management

Vojinović advocates for a centralized authority to manage crisis situations effectively. She noted a concerning absence of action from the Montenegrin government during the recent floods. The Coordination Team for Protection and Rescue, which should oversee crisis management, was neither convened nor activated despite the severity of the flooding.

“There is no information regarding any meetings held by the Coordination Team, nor any conclusions or decisions made about flood risk management during this period,” Vojinović explained. According to the Law on Protection and Rescue, this team serves as a strategic body to coordinate activities across various entities in the event of major disasters, including floods, and is led by the Prime Minister, with the Minister of Internal Affairs as the deputy.

The lack of activation of this Coordination Team suggests that the floods were not treated as a national emergency requiring high-level inter-agency and political coordination. Vojinović raised an important question regarding the institutional assessment of flood risks, stating that floods continue to be viewed predominantly as local or sectoral issues rather than a national security and development challenge that necessitates a comprehensive and coordinated response from the government and society as a whole.

Evaluating Responses and Future Strategies

While the response from relevant authorities was deemed functional in basic elements of the protection and rescue system, Vojinović criticized the lack of strength in prevention and resilience measures. The government’s actions involved the Directorate for Protection and Rescue, the Operational Communication Centre 112, the Hydrometeorological Institute, the military, and local emergency services.

During the operational phase, the Directorate for Protection and Rescue played a central coordinating role, while the Hydrometeorological Institute published regular reports and issued official warnings about heavy rainfall and rising water levels. This fulfilled the early warning system’s requirement that information be accessible to relevant institutions and the public before risks escalated.

However, Vojinović noted that the extent to which these warnings translated into actionable recommendations for the population was limited. This indicates a pressing need to strengthen public information systems and enhance risk management culture.

She highlighted the necessity for a proactive approach to flood management, moving from reactive crisis response to planned prevention. “Just as the floods of 2010, which registered a historic maximum on Skadar Lake, served as a benchmark for planning preventive measures, the floods of early 2026 indicate the urgent need to shift management strategies,” Vojinović remarked.

This shift includes spatial planning aimed at reducing flood risk, regular maintenance of watercourses and infrastructure, and strengthening institutional and local preparedness. The adoption of Flood Risk Management Plans for the Danube and Adriatic basins at the end of 2025 aligns with the European Union Flood Directive, which is critical given the increasing frequency of extreme hydrological events.

In conclusion, Montenegro faces a critical juncture in addressing its flood management strategies. The recent floods serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for coordinated action and long-term planning to mitigate the impacts of climate change and safeguard communities.