LJUBLJANA, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- Slovenian authorities issued on Monday an urgent red weather warning of strong wind and heavy rain across the country, which may cause serious natural disaster, according the national media.
The alerts came in specifically for western and central Slovenia due to strong wind on Monday afternoon, which is expected to exceed 100 km/h, said the Slovenian Press Agency STA.
Heavy rain is expected in Monday evening and during the night, which could bring flooding on the coast as well along the Drava river in the northeast of the country.
Due to strong tidal fluctuation, alarm was sounded in the coastal town of Piran at around 11:30 a.m. Monday morning. Local residents are urged to follow the instructions of the Civil Protection and Disaster Relief Administration and other services.
Strong winds have also led to a partial closing of the nation's only port of Koper at the Adriatic Sea, where berthing permits are being issued on a case-by-case basis.
The sea level is expected to rise significantly after 11 p.m. Monday "by up to 40 cm, meaning there is a chance of a similarly high tide as on Dec. 6, 2008", hydrologist Janez Polajnar has warned.
Experts are also worried about the state of the Drava river, fearing that over 100 buildings, mostly in the Maribor and Ptuj era, could be in peril on Tuesday afternoon.
