Unlike the Rovni Lake , system at the Lake Paljuvi failed completely during the catastrophic 2014 Southeast Europe floods . State water directory ordered emptying of the lake only on 12 May , two days before the fatal floods occurred . When the torrent hit the full reservoir on 14 May it began to overspill and the water directly rushed into the Kolubara and flooded the mines . At that point , draining the water through the tunnel was of no help . " Eko Ribarstvo " claimed that the lake was not full and that their job was to take care of the fish , while the lake was in care of RB Kolubara , adding that they needed 20 days to empty the lake but instead they were told to empty it only 2 days before and that " no one could expect so much rain in 7 days " . Still , according to the official specifications , emptying of the lake lasts from 16 to 21 days depending on the water level , so it means that it was almost full . Experts added that there are , or should be , plans with the timetable when the reservoirs are to be filled and emptied , and that when there is a rainy season , levels should be minimal so there will be no surprise when the torrents form . RB Kolubara admitted that parts of its own corporation should operate the lake , but that there is no proper paperwork , as there are still some unsolved property ownership issues . If empty and properly maintained , Paljuvi Lake should be able to prevent flooding even during the millennial floods
2014 Southeast Europe floods
2014 Southeast Europe floods
Paljuvi