TIRANA, Jan 6 /ATA/ – Albania faces a heightened risk of flooding as heavy rainfall is forecast to affect the country from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday, with adverse conditions expected to persist until Thursday, the Institute of GeoSciences (IGEO) said.
IGEO said intense rainfall would significantly increase the risk of flooding, particularly in the country’s northern and southern regions.
Rapid rises in small mountainous rivers and landslides are forecast in the districts of Shkodër, Kukës, Dibër, Lezhë, Durrës, Elbasan, Vlorë and Gjirokastër. Localized urban flooding is also possible, depending on the condition of drainage systems.
According to IGEO’s hydrological models, the heavy rainfall recorded in recent days, which is expected to continue until Thursday, Jan. 8, could lead to dangerous increases in water flow and levels in the Drin-Buna, Mat, Shkumbin and Vjosë rivers, as well as Lake Shkodër.
The Drin and Buna rivers and Lake Shkodër pose an elevated flood risk on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Institute said.
Meteorological forecasts indicate heavy to locally very heavy rainfall in the southern districts of Vlorë and Gjirokastër, while rainfall will be heavy in Shkodër and Lezhë. Elsewhere, precipitation is expected to be moderate to locally heavy, accompanied by thunderstorms.
In northern, eastern and southeastern areas at elevations above 1,000 metres, precipitation is expected to fall as snow.
On Wednesday, air temperatures are forecast to range from 9 to 16 degrees Celsius in coastal and lowland areas, and from 3 to 12 degrees Celsius in mountainous regions.
Authorities urged citizens to exercise increased caution and follow official advisories, while local emergency structures remain on alert to respond to weather-related risks.
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