Speaking after a meeting of the Civil Emergencies staff in Gjirokastër, Balluku said all civil emergency structures, the armed forces, and local and central authorities were operating in coordination to manage the situation caused by recent heavy rainfall.

She said the water level had fallen from eight to 6.5 metres, a development expected to ease conditions in Novoselë and the river mouth areas.

Balluku said temperatures had dropped and snowfall had begun in the region. Main roads were mostly open, though some rural routes remained blocked. A battalion deployed to the area was continuing operations, inspecting homes in Memaliaj and monitoring developments in real time.

She said the government’s evacuation plan is fully functional across all municipalities. Towns with hotel or dormitory facilities could implement it more easily, while others would cooperate with civil emergency services to use gyms or other spaces for shelter if needed.

Balluku added that the weather was expected to improve temporarily before worsening again on Saturday, giving authorities roughly 48 hours to manage the situation. Local power outages occurred along the Lunxhëri transmission line but were quickly restored through coordination among the armed forces, the electricity utility OSHEE, and civil emergency teams.

The minister also noted a landslide on the Tepelenë-Gjirokastër road, caused by erosion rather than road instability, and outlined government plans for reforestation in areas affected by summer wildfires to prevent further erosion. Damage assessments will begin once conditions improve, with a reserve fund available for compensation.

Education Minister and Gjirokastër political coordinator for the ruling Socialist Party, Mirela Kumbaro, said schools in the region were operating normally despite some road blockages in rural areas.

/j.p/u.sh/