CONSEQUENCES OF AND RESPONSE TO THE DISASTER

Abstract

The disaster in Log pod Mangartom, which was caused by a debris flow, was a severe test for the Slovene Civil Protection forces, which until then had not yet confronted a similar phenomenon of such vast dimensions. Considering the weather and water conditions prevailing on those November days, floods, landslides, collapses and rockfalls could be expected in a substantial part of the country, particularly in the Posočje region. The Slovene Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief announced warnings of these hazards to the competent authorities, rescue services and the public, but did not specifically mention the hazard of debris flows. The debris flow that occurred a few minutes after midnight on 17 November 2001 below the Mangart mountain pasture travelled with great speed along the beds of the Mangart stream, Predelica and part of the Koritnica and Soča rivers, instantaneously changing the appearance of the landscape and devastating the village of Log pod Mangartom. Seven persons lost their lives, and the inhabitants had to be evacuated from the village due to the consequences of the debris flow and the possibility of its recurrence. Protection, rescue and relief activities in the affected area were conducted by the municipal civil protection unit with the support of the regional and national civil protection units. An important role in the planning and implementation of protective and other measures aimed at eliminating the consequences of the disaster was played by teams of experts in geotechnics, hydrotechnics and torrent management. The formation of these teams enabled a great many Slovene experts to actively participate in the examination and planning of protective, rehabilitation and other intervention measures. The conditions below the landslide area are gradually returning to normal and a rehabilitation programme is in progress for the revitalization of Log pod Mangartom. The exceptional human solidarity so characteristic of the Slovenes was once again proven in this disaster.