Flooding leads to state of natural disaster in northern Albania

TIRANA, Dec. 1 – The Albanian government on Wednesday declared a state of natural disaster in northwestern districts, a repeat of the same situation in January, because of flooding and increased water output from hydro power stations.
Hundreds of people are being evacuated from northwestern Albania, threatened from the widespread of floods and heavy rain.
At least 300 families were evacuated and settled in public dormitories, according to prefect Maxhit Cungu, adding they were ready to sign contracts with private hotels to shelter more.
Army and police are assisting local authorities evacuate areas in Shkodra district, 120 kilometers northwest of capital Tirana, along the Drini River delta, taking them to public dormitories and private hotels as weather conditions have worsened in the last days.
Hydroelectric power generated from the Drini River covers the bulk of Albania’s energy needs and have reached their culmination these days trying to lower the water level at their basin, Prime Minister Sali Berisha said Wednesday.
Authorities said that about 8,000 hectares of land were flooded, covering hundreds of houses.
They said there has been no victim and urged the population to be evacuated from the endangered areas.