TIRANA, Jan 7 /ATA/ – Authorities in southern Albania have evacuated 13 families after the Vjosa river rose to 8.6 metres, reaching a critical level and increasing the risk of flooding in parts of Vlorë district, local government and police officials said on Wednesday.
Vlora Mayor Brunilda Mersini and regional police chief Elidon Çela were on the ground monitoring the situation, as water inflows remained elevated.
“The situation is currently critical because the river level has reached 8.6 metres high,” Mersini told reporters, adding that authorities expect water levels to start falling in the coming hours as conditions in the river’s southern catchment area have stabilised.
“We expect this to be reflected within the next 12 hours,” she said.
Mersini said six additional families remain in high-risk areas and would be evacuated if water levels rise further. “So far, 13 families have been ready to leave the affected areas,” she said.
Çela said all emergency and police structures are on full alert.
“All high-clearance vehicles have been deployed, and if evacuations are required, police and civil emergency services will intervene wherever necessary,” he said.
/k.s/j.p/u.sh/
