For almost two days, Albania has been facing intense rainfall, with many regions under water. While Durrës faced massive flooding throughout the day yesterday, the situation became dramatic in the afternoon and evening for Gjirokastra.

Amidst the torrential rains, many areas were flooded, 900 homes were flooded in Durrës (and others in other areas of Albania), families evacuated, and roads were closed.

BalkanWeb During these difficult hours for the citizens affected by the floods, it has reported every development with the latest events, referring to information from journalists on the ground. The situation remains dramatic in Durrës, where the area of ​​the former Marsh is almost entirely under water. The blockage of collectors and discharge channels caused water to flood the streets of the coastal city, while this area turned back into a Marsh.

The Durrës prison was not spared from the floods either, with its first floor submerged in water. Meanwhile, problems have also been caused in Vlora, Shkodër, Kukës, and Belsh. Likewise, the intense rainfall caused major damage in Gjirokastër, where the streets were 'invaded' by debris and stones, while many businesses suffered material damage as water entered the shops.

SITUATION IN SOME CITIES
Durrës under the power of water! 900 families are flooded, not even the Industrial Market is "saved"
An alarming situation continues to remain in Durrës following flooding as a result of heavy rainfall that continued throughout yesterday.

Journalist Klodiana Haxhiaj reports that around 900 families have been flooded in the Municipality of Durrës. Meanwhile, the situation is also serious in the city's Industrial Market, where the water has completely destroyed all the goods that were there.

View from Durrës prison

Roads are covered with rubble and stones in Gjirokastra

The images you see come from Gjirokastra, where the city faced terrible flooding from massive rainfall throughout the afternoon and night. As can be seen from the images provided by journalist Brikena Metaj for BalkanWeb Citizens have rolled up their sleeves and started cleaning up the damage.

Businesses have opened their shutters and have begun cleaning up the water and mud that has 'invaded' the shops, while the roads have been 'occupied' by debris and stones. Meanwhile, many cars have been left stranded among the debris.

Fearing the collapse of the bridge, the residents of Orgjosti in Kukës risk being isolated
The entire territory of the Kukës Region continues to be affected by rainfall, bringing increased risk to national, municipal and bridge roads. As a result of the weather conditions, contracting entities and rural road directorates are working at maximum capacity around the clock to guarantee the functionality of national roads and the connection with rural areas. Despite the situation, all national road axes are passable. In the Kukës Municipality, the most worrying problem remains the Orgjost village bridge, which continues to be at risk after one of the supporting legs was damaged. Residents report that due to the worsening situation, children are not allowed to go to school, while immediate intervention is required from the Civil Emergency structures at the local and central levels. Around 1 thousand residents of two neighborhoods of the village are at risk of being isolated.

Several road segments in the Zapod Administrative Unit continue to be blocked, specifically the Cërnalevë and Oreshkë roads. Due to bad weather, classes were not held for school students in Cërnalevë today. The Municipality of Tropojë reports that there are no problems, while the situation is being continuously monitored by the relevant structures. In the Municipality of Has, the Helshan 2 reservoir remains problematic, as there is a school building below it, which poses a safety risk. Regarding the supply of electricity, the entire Kukës Region is supplied normally, excluding the Administrative Units of Zapod, Shishtavec and Topojan in the Municipality of Kukës, where interruptions continue due to weather conditions. The authorities call on citizens to show increased caution and follow official announcements, while emergency structures continue to monitor the situation continuously.

Intense rainfall also in Pogradec, two rivers risk overflowing their banks
The intense rainfall of the last few hours has caused a significant increase in the water level in the Starova and Vërdova rivers, increasing the risk of them overflowing their banks. Local authorities indicate that additional forces have been deployed on the ground to monitor the situation, while the relevant structures are on standby to intervene if the water level continues to rise.

Residents, especially those living near rivers, are urged to exercise increased caution and follow the instructions of the authorities. According to the responsible institutions, until now the Municipality of Pogradec remains the most problematic area in terms of the impact of bad weather.

How is the situation in the Shkodra region?
Following the continuous monitoring of the hydrometeorological situation by the Institution of the Prefect of the Shkodër District, in cooperation with the municipalities and Civil Emergency structures, the situation in the territory of the district appears to be mainly stable and under control. In the Municipality of Shkodër, the rainfall has stopped for several hours and so far no emergencies have been reported. However, there is still water present in some areas with agricultural land and residential yards. Working groups continue monitoring in high-risk areas. In the Oboti area, the presence of water of about 30–40 cm is evident on the main road, allowing traffic only for high vehicles, while water has also been found in some yards and agricultural areas.

In the Municipality of Vau Dejës, last evening's rainfall was of average intensity. The Glina and Gjadri streams have marked a drop in water levels. In the Bushat Administrative Unit, in the villages of Mal i Jushit and Hoten, about 15 families are reported to be stranded due to water, while local structures are on standby and closely monitoring the situation.

In the Municipality of Malësi e Madhe, low-intensity rainfall was recorded overnight, with no reported problems. The situation appears calm and under continuous monitoring. In the village of Kamicë, the dry stream has been removed from the road. In the Municipality of Fushë-Arrëz, low-intensity rainfall continues. As a result of the rainfall of the previous days, landslides, rockfalls and the presence of water on several rural roads have been identified. The roads are open to traffic and work is underway to clean them. In the Municipality of Puka, intense rainfall accompanied by strong winds currently continues, but so far no problems or civil emergencies have been reported. The situation is being monitored continuously. According to data from the Lezhë Irrigation and Drainage Directorate, the water level in the Buna Bridge is 1.80 meters, the level of Lake Shkodra is at a level of 7.7 meters, while in Dajç it is at a level of 6.2 meters. The Institution of the Prefect of Shkodra District calls on citizens to show increased caution, follow official announcements and cooperate with Civil Emergency structures for any possible situation.

Heavy rain in Vlora, landslide in the village of Vajzë

Heavy rainfall has caused landslides in the village of Vajzë, damaging the main road in the area and two homes. As a result of the movement of the mass of soil from the surrounding hills, the road infrastructure was initially damaged and then the homes were also affected. Authorities announce that the police have immediately intervened by evacuating the residents of the two damaged houses, for safety reasons. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported. The movement of vehicles on this road segment is being carried out in a controlled manner, while the relevant structures are on the ground to assess the situation and the risk of further landslides.

The road is damaged as a result of the rains in the village of "Vajzë", two houses are damaged. The landslide has initially caused the road in this village to be damaged and then the soil of the hill has moved the two houses, damaging them. The police have evacuated them while the movement of vehicles has been controlled.

Two houses flooded in Belsh

The Elbasan region has experienced sporadic and low-intensity rainfall during the night, with a total amount of about 11 mm. According to official reports, the situation appears calm and without serious problems, while the relevant structures remain on standby for any possible development. The only problem identified was reported in the Belsh Municipality, where at around 07:00 the Local Police Directorate announced the presence of water in two apartments, one in the city of Belsh, in the area of ​​the former SMT, and the other in the village of Qafë Shkallë. The Belsh Municipality was immediately notified to take the necessary measures and monitor the situation on the ground.

No problems or emergency situations are reported in other municipalities of the region. National and rural road axes are all open to vehicle traffic. On the national axis Gramsh-Moglicë, there was a fall of inert materials on the road, which were cleaned in time by the contracting company, restoring normal movement. River and stream flows are at average levels and do not pose a risk of flooding. Regarding the electricity supply, several outages were recorded during the night, while the feeder in the Administrative Unit of Përparim, Peqin Municipality, as well as the Klos-Mollas feeder in Cërrik Municipality currently remain without power, where work is being done to restore power. Local authorities and emergency structures continue to monitor the situation, guaranteeing rapid intervention in the event of worsening weather conditions.

The level of the Ishëm River decreases, water is withdrawn from flooded areas
The cessation of rainfall during the night has led to a decrease in the level of the Ishëm River, causing the water to begin to recede in some areas affected by floods.

However, the areas of Bilaj, Murqina and Mallkuç remain problematic, where water continues to be present in the fields. The cause of this situation is the malfunctioning of drainage channels, which is preventing the complete removal of water. Local authorities are monitoring the situation, while farmers express concern about the damage to agricultural lands.