Deadly floods hit Albania and Montenegro as rivers overflow
Floods triggered by severe winter weather have inundated homes and destroyed a bridge in Albania and Montenegro. At least one person has died in Albania, and hundreds of residents are in temporary shelters.
Rivers have burst their banks in the Balkan countries of Albania and Montenegro, flooding residential areas. Rescue services are working to help affected residents and restore transport links in southern Albania and central Montenegro. The floods followed several days of severe winter weather across the Balkans.
Albania
In southern Albania, the Vjosa River overflowed near Novosela in the Vlorë region, and evacuation orders were issued. Rescuers used inflatable boats to reach people trapped by the water, including two elderly residents whose home was flooded to a depth of about 1.5 metres.
At least one person has died in Albania: a 54-year-old man was found dead in an irrigation canal in Durrës after being swept away by floodwater. Emergency services are working to pump water out of around 800 buildings, while about 300 people have been given temporary shelter.
Montenegro
In neighbouring Montenegro, the Zeta River flooded residential areas in Danilovgrad, affecting around 30 homes and several nearby villages. Near Podgorica, soldiers and engineers built a temporary pontoon bridge to replace a crossing destroyed by a torrent. Excavators also cleared drainage channels while emergency crews worked to restore transport connections.
Outlook
Parts of Albania recorded more than 100 millimetres of rain within 24 hours. Authorities have warned that further snowfall and icy conditions could cause more disruption.
