Torrential Rain Submerges Large Areas of Albania as Rivers Overflow and Evacuations Expand

Widespread Flooding After Days of Relentless Rain

Days of unbroken rainfall have brought extensive flooding across Albania, pushing rivers beyond their banks and leaving rural regions submerged under rising water. Police confirmed that one woman has died after severe floods swept through the southeast, marking the most tragic outcome of the ongoing weather emergency.

Skies remained a dull grey over much of the country as heavy rain battered rooftops and fields. In the southern village of Dushar, conditions turned dire when floodwaters cut off access roads. Roughly 30 families became stranded as water surrounded their homes.

Residents spoke of conditions worsening by the hour. “People are stuck … they have nowhere to go," several locals said as they watched water climb over entryways and fields.

Tragic Discovery in Devoll

In the southeastern municipality of Devoll, floodwaters revealed a devastating scene. The body of a 75-year-old woman was discovered after water levels receded on Saturday. Her son had reported her missing, and soldiers searched the area on Friday but were unable to locate her in time. Authorities believe she was swept away by strong currents.

The discovery underscored the force of the flooding in this region, where currents carved through farmland and swept debris downstream.

Rivers Vjosa and Seman Burst Their Banks

The continuous rainfall caused the Vjosa and Seman rivers to overflow, flooding vast tracts of agricultural land. The Vjosa runs across southern Albania, while the Seman flows through the low-lying Myzeqeja plain, an area particularly vulnerable to rising water.

In the northwestern region of Lezha, around 220 hectares of land remained underwater. Videos posted online showed flooded homes, drowned fields, and farmers assessing what many described as extensive crop damage.

“Everything is underwater," one farmer said. “We do not know what we will recover."

Mass Evacuations and Infrastructure Damage

At least 200 families have been evacuated since Thursday as floodwaters inundated neighborhoods and rural settlements. Albania’s Defence Minister, Pirro Vengu, reported that more than 1,500 hectares (3,706 acres) of farmland were submerged in the south alone.

The damage extends far beyond fields.
Authorities reported:

• Damage to around 20 bridges, some needing full reconstruction
• Numerous roads flooded or blocked by landslides
• Hundreds left without electricity after floodwaters swept away power poles

Army units have been deployed to rescue residents, reinforce embankments, and deliver emergency supplies. In some regions, livestock and poultry drowned as water rapidly advanced over pastures.

Communities Under Strain as More Rain Looms

Concern is growing as forecasts indicate additional rainfall in the coming days. Civil Emergency Teams remain on standby as local authorities warn that already-saturated soil could worsen flooding across the country.

Defence Minister Vengu visited heavily affected locations in the Sarande District on Saturday to assess the situation firsthand.

“We are very worried," residents said repeatedly, watching floodwaters push closer to homes. “We cannot tell what will happen next."