Albanien förklarar naturkatastrof

http://www.javno.com/en-world/flood-...isaster_288776


TIRANA, January 5, 2010 (AFP) - Albanian authorities declared a natural disaster Tuesday in several northwestern regions of the country, where raging floodwaters forced the evacuation of hundreds of people.

"We are at the verge of a real catastrophe and, according to forecasters, heavy rainfalls will continue in coming days," Prime Minister Sali Berisha warned.

Berisha, who visited the flooded areas on Tuesday, called on "women, children and older population to leave their homes to avoid the worst."

"Only the men can stay," Berisha said during the visit.

Despite appeals by the authorities, a large majority of inhabitants of the villages have refused to leave their homes and cattle, fearing they would lose them in floods.

Local media reported that around 100 villagers who were evacuated by the army troops, returned to their flooded homes on Tuesday.

"If necessary, we will evacuate people by force as our primary goal is to save their lives," Leonard Olli, head of the civilian emergency services, told reporters in the capital Tirana.

Olli said that at least 570 houses have been flooded, while another 200 were cut off by floodwaters.

"Some 3,500 hectares (8,648 acres) of agricultural lands are still under water and the forecasters dread that river dams could break and endanger the lives of inhabitants," he warned.

Heavy rains in the past days have also forced the authorities here to open the gates of the dam at the hydroelectric power station Vau i Dejes, causing flooding of several villages near the Adriatic sea.

Torrential rain and hydropower plants' water let-out into Drim River downstream triggered major floods in northern Albania.

The authorities declared state of emergency in this part of the country. The settlements near Skadar are hardest hit by floods. Parts of Skadar-Tirana highway and Skadar-Kukes highway have been flooded, causing major traffic disruptions.
Economy Minister Dritan Prifti said on Monday the situation is very difficult but under control.
Experts say the let-out of water from hydro-power plants was necessary, as heavy downpours caused rising water levels.

http://www.mrt.com.mk/en/index.php?o...7944&Itemid=28

Some 9,150 hectares of agricultural land and 2,080 houses have been inundated by the flooding


According to Albanian media and official government data, more than 3,400 Shkodra residents have been evacuated from the flood area and some 9,150 hectares of agricultural land and 2,080 houses have been inundated.

Albanian authorities were obligated to open the gates of the hydro-central stations of Fierza, Koman and Vau i Dejes, which contributed to more flooding in Shkodra and several villages near the Adriatic Sea.

In response to the flooding, the Albanian military and other government structures have been activated to offer emergency relief in Shkodra including evacuation assistance and aid distribution.

Children and women were the first to be evacuated. Afraid to lose their possessions and belongings some of the villagers refused to leave their homes, but the authorities demanded that they evacuate because of the opened emergency gates of the Koman Hydro-Central.

'Most of the families have one or two representatives who stay behind in the house, to protect their possessions...they feel this is something that happens every year. This is the reason they do not leave, and they did not seem to be very worried about it. This however presents a serious danger to their lives,' said Edmond Qokaj, World Vision Albania Humanitarian & Emergency Affairs Coordinator.

According to Albanian experts, the situation is more serious than first perceived. If the authorities do not open the hydro-central gates the situation will quickly escalate into a national catastrophe and it is thought that the water could even cause flooding in neighbouring Montenegro villages.

World Vision Albania, through the Shkodra Area Development Programme, has been following the situation closely and is currently assessing the needs of the evacuated families. Simultaneously, World Vision is collaborating with the Albanian government and other NGOs involved to decide on a strategy of intervention and support, especially for children and women.

'It is very hard to scan the situation, since it is very dynamic and it can change overnight. As World Vision we are closely following the emergency and will provide assistance for the children and their families as needed,' concluded Mr. Qokaj.

-Ends-

[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/from...f9ad03ed28.htm

Tirana - Thousands of people have been evacuated after the Drin river in northern Albania flooded the country's main highway and water level in Shkoder town reached one metre high, the ministry of interior said Friday. More than 2,000 homes and nearly 10,000 hectares of land have been flooded around Shkoder, after days of heavy rains and melting snow.

Some 3,400 people have been evacuated, the ministry said in a statement.

Local media reported that Shkoder looks like a city in the middle of the lake, while neighbouring villages are completely flooded, with only the roofs of the houses above the water level.

The Drin river has broken all the barriers flooding the main Shkoder-Tirana highway. Only military vehicles can pass the road.

In neighbouring Montenegro, officials are preparing for a possible evacuation near river Bojana and Skadar lake, overflooded after the Drin barriers broke down.

"The situation is serious," said Zoran Begovic in charge of emergency situations in Montenegro's interior ministry.

In Serbia, the water level on rivers is increasing, but so far there is no immediate danger of floods.

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/s...-villages.html