Fatal Flooding Strikes Albania and Montenegro as Rivers Overflow Banks

In southern Albania, the Vjosa River breached its banks near Novosela in the Vlorë region, triggering evacuation orders. Rescue teams deployed inflatable boats to reach residents trapped by rising waters, including two elderly individuals whose home was inundated to a depth of roughly 1.5 metres.

At least one person has died in Albania. A 54-year-old man was discovered dead in an irrigation canal in Durrës after being swept away by floodwaters. Emergency crews worked to clear water from around 800 buildings, while approximately 300 people received temporary shelter.

In neighbouring Montenegro, the Zeta River inundated residential areas in Danilovgrad, affecting around 30 homes and several nearby villages.

Near Podgorica, soldiers and engineers constructed a temporary pontoon bridge to replace a crossing destroyed by a torrent. Excavators also cleared drainage channels as emergency personnel worked to restore transport links.

The floods followed days of severe winter weather across the Balkans. Parts of Albania recorded more than 100 millimetres of rain in 24 hours, while authorities warned that additional snowfall and icy conditions could cause further disruption.

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