Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic has called the floods in his country the” worst natural disaster” in its history.

At least five people have died after the equivalent of four month’s rainfall fell in just one day.

More than 6,000 people have been displaced and 300.000 homes are without electricity. Many towns and villages are completely cut off and emergency services are working around the clock to rescue people.

One woman who was evacuated from her village near Preljine in Slavica in the east of the country said: “Everything we have is flooded, destroyed, water is in the house, all the appliances are under water.”

Another said: “This is a catastrophe, we have lost all of our furniture, we have nowhere to sleep, it’s all is gone”

Russia sent a specialist team of rescuers on Friday with boats and diving equipment to help with the effort.They are also flying in food which will be distributed to the worst hit areas.

Bosnia has also been badly hit and both countries have declared a state of emergency.

The Bosnian defence ministry sent troops to help thousands of people whose homes have been engulfed by water.

“This is the worst rainfall in Bosnia since 1894, when weather measurements started to be recorded,” said Zeljko Majstorovic, a Sarajevo meteorologist.

The rain, which began on Tuesday, is forecast to continue over the weekend although with less intensity.