Belinda Balluku, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Highlights National Readiness Ahead of Heavy Rainfall and Strong Winds

Albania is expected to experience a low-pressure weather system bringing heavy rain and strong winds overnight and in the coming days, peaking on November 18. Today, Belinda Balluku, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, called an emergency meeting at the National Civil Protection Agency to coordinate preventive actions.
According to forecasts from specialized state institutes, conditions will deteriorate in the late evening, with the greatest intensity in the north and northeast. There, rainfall is likely to exceed 30 mm and last for 48 hours. After November 19, the intensity is expected to gradually shift to the southeast and south of the country, especially in the Himara and Saranda regions. Traditionally flood-prone locations such as the Shkodra plain, Lezha, and the Vjosa river boundary in Fier and Vlora are being closely monitored despite the fact that rainfall in the south is predicted to be lower.
Since November 11, the Albanian Power Corporation (KESH) has been lowering water levels in the Koman and Vau i Dejës reservoirs to create space for the significant inflows forecast from the north and northeast. These measures aim to prevent the opening of the spillway gates, especially in the Shkodra plain area, where the intensity of rainfall and the risk of cascading floods are expected to be extremely high.
Minister Balluku noted that all key infrastructure firms, including KESH, OSHEE, the Albanian Road Authority, and other organizations responsible for managing extreme weather scenarios, have been notified and are prepared.
Andis Salla, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, stated that all irrigation and drainage structures have been placed on high alert due to the poor weather conditions. He said that the focus is on the north of the country and the Fier district, which are the most vulnerable to flooding. An emergency unit with approximately 20 specialists is already active in Lezha and Shkodra, and 80 technicians and 15 laborers are stationed at nine pumping stations. They are working in 24-hour monitoring shifts to maintain water flow.
Eight excavators have been deployed to key districts in Lezha and Shkodra to deal with the large inflows, and 16 more are stationed in Fier. These excavators are ready for fast intervention in collaboration with municipalities and civic emergencies. Minister Salla emphasized that teams are on the ground and will continue to monitor the situation until it stabilizes, providing assistance to residents and farmers as needed.
Pirro Vengu, Minister of Defense, and Haki Çako, Director of the National Civil Protection Agency, indicated that national-level capacities have been placed on high alert. The Armed Forces, firefighters, state police, and civil protection units are deployed at all times to assist citizens, whether for immediate intervention or the evacuation of inhabitants, if necessary.
Institutions are sharing real-time satellite data, as well as information from the Civil Aviation Agency, the IGJEUM, and the National Civil Protection Agency. Forecasts have changed dramatically in recent hours due to shifting air fronts.
Authorities urge residents in areas frequently affected by flooding to heed official warnings and take precautions. Meetings with prefects and mayors from affected districts are expected to continue over the next two days.