GFMC: Croatia drought and fire damage tops $ 300 million, 1 September 2000

Croatia drought and fire damage tops $ 300 million

1 September 2000

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CROATIA:  ZAGREB – Croatia estimates the damage suffered from this year’s drought and forest fires at 2.74 billion kuna ($300 million), local media reported yesterday. The drought – now in its fifth month – could reduce fruit, grape and grain crops to just 30-50 percent of initial forecasts, Agriculture Minister Bozidar Pankretic told a cabinet meeting, according to state radio. He said maize, sunflower, beet and soya crops were the worst hit by the prolonged dry weather. Hail storms destroyed large areas under grapevine and other cultures, causing 107 million kuna in damage. The government approved urgent aid to areas affected by the blazes, which have raged over the past few weeks particularly on the dry Adriatic coastline, state news agency Hina said.
REUTERS NEWS SERVICE