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© LSA/Malton Dibra Tirana streets flooded after heavy rainfall
Heavy rainfall caused widespread flooding in Albania yesterday, 22 November 2015. Some areas around Tirana saw almost 9 cm (3.5 inches) of rain in 24 hours.

Albania's General Directorate of Civil Emergencies (Drejtoria e Përgjithshme e Emergjencave Civile) say that one man was killed whilst working at a hydro power plant after he was swept away by an overflowing river in Dibër county.

Flooding has been reported in the northern counties of Kukës, Dibër, Durrës, Shkodër, the southern county of Gjirokastër, and also around the capital in Tirana district, in central Albania.

The River Mat overflowed in Dibër county during the evening of 22 November 2015, forcing the evacuation of several families in the village Zenisht.


Flooding has blocked roads, and caused damage to property and to several bridges in several counties. Many have been left without power and some without drinking water. Local media reported yesterday that 30,000 were left without power, including residents in the Tirana area.

Heavy rainfall has also been reported in other Balkan countries, including Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. Currently there are no reports of any serious flooding.

Three people died when flooding struck Albania in November 2014. The country also suffered flooding in October this year after heavy rainfall affected wide areas of the region, including Greece, Turkey and southern Italy.

Rainfall Figures

Figures according to WMO for a 24 hour period between 22 and 23 November 2015.

Albania

Tirana-La Praka - 89 mm
Kukes - 54 mm
The previous day (21 to 22 November) Shkodra recorded 54 mm of rain.

Macedonia

Mavrovo - 70.9 mm
Lazaropole - 59.1 mm

The Balkan countries of Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina have also seen heavy rain over the last few days. The figures below are for a 24 hour period between 21 and 22 November 2015.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bjelasnica - 79 mm
Ivan Sedlo - 81 mm

Montenegro

Podgorica/Golubovci - 52 mm
Niksic - 55 mm