One Lightning Strike Left Bitola Without Water in Over 30 Degrees: the Crews Reacted Fast, but Why Did They Have To at All?

Lightning struck the electrical network of the „Dovledzik” pumping station. Bitola was left without water, in temperatures above 30 degrees.

Some neighbourhoods had no water at all, others had significantly reduced pressure. The public utility „Vodovod” announced that the raw water supply had been temporarily cut, warning that this could lower reservoir levels and pressure, especially in the higher parts of the city.

By the afternoon the fault had been repaired. The waterworks crews, coordinating with the relevant institutions, located and fixed the damage.

Bringing it back is not a light switch

The director of „Vodovod” Bitola, Andrej Ginov, explained that the system is being stabilised in a controlled way, with reservoirs refilling gradually - to avoid sudden pressure spikes and water hammer in the distribution network.

„As reservoir levels reach the required values, the pressure will stabilise and return to standard levels”, Ginov said, adding that crews remain in the field monitoring the situation.

The utility confirmed that measures were taken throughout the process to preserve quality and safety, and that the water is safe to use.

One thundery afternoon

The response was fast - the fault was fixed the same day, and communication from the utility was regular and specific, which is not always the case with public utilities. That should be said.

But the question no statement touches remains: how does one lightning strike leave an entire city without water?

A pumping station that supplies a city is critical infrastructure. For critical infrastructure, lightning protection and backup power are not a luxury - they are part of the basic design. If a single atmospheric discharge can shut off the supply for all of Bitola in mid-August, then the question is not whether the crews reacted quickly. They did react quickly.

The question is why they had to at all.